Independent Reviewing Office/ Child Protection Lead

Abrams Healthcare Llp; Stafford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare service provider is seeking a qualified Independent Reviewing Officer to ensure children's needs are prioritized in Staffordshire. The role involves chairing Child Protection Conferences and reviews, overseeing robust care plans, and advocating for children's rights. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of experience in a similar role, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of safeguarding regulations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years as an Independent Reviewing Officer or Child Protection Chair.
• Significant knowledge of the Children Act and care planning regulations.
• Proven experience chairing multi-agency meetings.

Responsibilities

• Chair Child Protection Conferences and statutory reviews.
• Oversee care plans ensuring they are child-centred.
• Act as a trusted point of support for children.

Skills

Qualified social worker

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks

Education

Professional qualification in social work

Post-qualifying training and CPD

Job description

Overview

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) and Child Protection Chair role requiring a minimum of two years’ prior experience in this position. This is a county-wide role that involves travel throughout Staffordshire. The role combines chairing Child Protection Conferences with chairing Child in Care reviews to ensure children’s needs are met, voices are heard, and statutory obligations fulfilled.

Key Responsibilities

• Chair and provide professional advice at Child Protection Conferences and statutory reviews for looked after children in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.
• Oversee and scrutinise care plans to ensure they are robust, timely and child-centred.
• Undertake visits to children, act as a first point of contact, and advocate for their rights and best interests.
• Ensure local authorities fulfil their statutory obligations and escalate concerns when necessary, including to the Director of Children’s Services or Cafcass.
• Act as a consistent and trusted point of support in a child’s life, ensuring their voices are central to planning and review.
• Chair meetings in a child-friendly manner, promoting meaningful participation by children and families.
• Manage relationships between children, families, social workers, placement providers, Cafcass and other partner agencies.
• Contribute to quality assurance by monitoring standards of practice and evaluating the effectiveness of care planning.
• Provide professional guidance and support to social workers, families, and external partners on safeguarding and review processes.
• Drive early permanency for children by providing oversight and challenge where care plans are drifting.
• Promote restorative practice, partnership working, and embed feedback from children and families into service improvements.
• Contribute to safeguarding board work, including training delivery and participation in rapid reviews where necessary.
• Assist with the induction and training of staff within the Safeguarding and Review service.
• Ensure children’s education, health and care needs are fully considered by scrutinising EHCPs, PEPs and Health Assessments and escalating concerns.
• Promote equalities, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Person Specification

• Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration.
• Significant post-qualification experience, with at least two years as an Independent Reviewing Officer or Child Protection Chair.
• Substantial knowledge of the Children Act, statutory guidance, safeguarding frameworks and care planning regulations.
• Proven experience chairing multi-agency meetings and managing complex family dynamics.
• Strong ability to challenge, escalate and influence at all levels in the best interests of children.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to engage children and families effectively.
• Experience supervising or supporting other social work professionals.
• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance techniques.
• Understanding of current practice issues relating to looked after children, child protection and permanence planning.
• Proficient in IT systems for recording and maintaining case information.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Ability to travel county-wide across Staffordshire.

Professional Accountabilities

• Financial Management – Delivering services efficiently, effectively, within budget and achieving value for money.
• People Management – Engaging with people management policies and supporting the development of colleagues.
• Equalities – Committed to equality and anti-discriminatory practice, meeting legislative standards.
• Climate Change – Supporting the Council’s climate change strategy and energy conservation practices.
• Health and Safety – Promoting welfare and ensuring safe working practices in line with policy.
• Safeguarding – Demonstrating commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Qualifications

• Holder of a professional qualification in social work
• Successful completion of post-qualifying training and CPD
• HCPC Registration

This role is central to ensuring children’s safety, well-being, and positive outcomes in Staffordshire. The successful candidate will combine professional expertise with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children.