Independent Reviewing Officer and Conference Chair

Telford & Wrekin Council; Telford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental organization in Telford is seeking a Conference and Review Chair responsible for ensuring children's plans meet their needs and regulatory requirements. This role involves conducting multi-agency meetings, advocating for children’s voices in decision-making, and maintaining effective relationships. Applicants should hold a Social Work qualification, have at least 5 years' relevant experience, and a strong understanding of childcare legislation. The position offers competitive benefits and a supportive workplace culture.

Benefits

Competitive rates of pay

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working options

Generous leave entitlement

Free onsite parking

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• At least 5 years post-qualifying experience working with children in care.
• Must be registered with Social Work England.
• Knowledgeable in childcare legislation and statutory guidance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure children's plans reflect their individual needs.
• Hold multi-agency meetings to challenge and promote best outcomes.
• Negotiate with colleagues based on analyzed information.

Skills

Understanding of holistic perspectives

Effective communication

Ability to analyze and evaluate information

Experience in child protection

Ability to manage multi-agency meetings

Solutions-focused approach

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Overview

Our family are usually the people closest to us, those we care most about. Family life is not just about legal ties – it goes far deeper than that. It concerns our most important biological, social and emotional relationships. We hold the value that children and young people are best cared for by their birth families and extended networks, and this underpins our ‘family first’ ethos. Where this cannot be achieved, we seek to ensure that children and young people’s relationships are maintained in line with their best interests. Birth parents and extended networks are included within the decision‑making processes and we provide alternative care which is nurturing and which fosters a sense of belonging.

There has never been a more exciting time to join our service: alongside making a difference to the lives of individuals and families, we have adopted exciting new strengths‑based approaches and are passionate about delivering continuous service improvement.

Responsibilities

As the conference and review chair it is your job to ensure that plans for children fully reflect the individual needs of children and young people and that all planning processes meet regulatory requirements, reflect best practice and maintain a focus on achieving best outcomes. Your role is to challenge plans that are not progressing or meeting a child’s needs, to hold multi‑agency meetings, to analyse and evaluate information and to negotiate with colleagues.

Qualifications and Experience

• Understanding that there are layers to a person, a practitioner’s ability to see the person as a ‘whole’
• The ability to practice care and kindness
• Being able to really listen to children and young people – what are their views, hopes, aspirations and worries?
• The ability to communicate well, Social Work qualified and be registered with Social Work England.
• At least 5 years post‑qualified and have experience of working with and developing effective relationships with children in care or the subject of child protection plans.
• Knowledgeable of relevant childcare legislation and statutory guidance, including a clear understanding of the IRO handbook, Working Together and the Care Planning Regulations.
• Focused on achieving great outcomes for children and young people, using a solutions‑focused approach to challenge and promote best practice.
• Able to work both virtually and in person with children, families and partner agencies.
• Driven to ensure the child’s voice is heard and central to planning and decision making.
• Experienced at managing multi‑agency meetings.
• Be able to analyse and evaluate information effectively and negotiate with colleagues.

Our Impact

• Children and families in Telford and Wrekin continue to experience exceptional social work practice when they are in care and as care leavers.
• Participation is a real strength and children’s and families’ involvement is threaded throughout service developments.
• Social workers know their children well and have developed effective relationships with parents.
• The virtual school is a significant strength in Telford and Wrekin.
• Care leavers benefit from an extremely comprehensive and generous local offer.
• Corporate parenting is a strength in Telford and Wrekin.
• The stability of the experienced workforce creates the perfect environment to benefit children and care leavers. As a result, social workers maintain relationships with children who know them over many years, which contributes to children’s feeling of belonging.
• Staff enjoy working in an environment where senior leaders are visible, and they feel valued.

Benefits

• Competitive rates of pay
• Automatic access to a secure, flexible and tax‑efficient Local Government Pension Scheme
• Staff benefits and discounts including salary sacrifice schemes
• Free on‑site parking
• Generous leave entitlement (24 days rising to 32 days) plus 8 bank holidays and an additional concessionary day
• Free access to our employee assistance programme and confidential counselling
• Flexible and mobile working policy – we are well adapted to a hybrid model of working which includes a combination of time spent in the office and at home – our approach is to promote a greater level of flexible working around personal and family commitments
• Private lettings are available from ‘Nuplace’ who give priority to social work professionals
• A friendly, inclusive and dynamic workplace, competitive pay, generous benefits, flexible working and great development opportunities. A culture that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion.