Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Conference Chair
- Location: Durham, County Durham
- Authority: Durham County Council (Children & Young People's Services)
- Pay Rate: £35.45 per hour (Umbrella)
- Contract: Full-Time Locum Assignment
- Working Pattern: Flexible hybrid working arrangements
Are you an experienced, authoritative Senior Practitioner or Manager looking to step into a vital quality assurance and safeguarding leadership role within Children's Social Care?
Durham County Council is recruiting an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) & Child Protection Conference Chair to join their Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Service. Offering £35.45 per hour, this role is key to upholding statutory care planning standards, ensuring the child's voice is paramount, and providing constructive challenge across the local authority.
Key Responsibilities:
- Statutory Chairing: Act as an independent Chairperson for Looked After Children (LAC) Reviews, Child Protection Conferences, Foster Carer Reviews, Private Fostering Reviews, and Complex Planning / Disruption meetings.
- Child-Centred Advocacy: Communicate effectively with children, young people, and families to ensure the child's views and wishes are central to all decision-making.
- Constructive Challenge & Quality Assurance: Work constructively with Senior Managers and Social Work teams, offering a critical perspective, appropriate professional challenge, and oversight on permanency planning.
- Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Apply expert, up-to-date knowledge of the Care Planning Regulations, Fostering & Adoption Regulations, Care Order court processes, and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Service Audit & Multi-Agency Working: Participate in service-wide quality audits and active Safeguarding Children Partnership processes to drive good practice and positive outcomes across the county.
What We Are Looking For:
- Qualifications & SWE: Recognised Social Work qualification with active Social Work England (SWE) registration.
- Senior Experience: Significant post-qualifying experience in statutory Children's Social Care (e.g., IRO, CP Chair, Team Manager, or Advanced Practitioner level).
- Expert Legislation Knowledge: Thorough understanding of legal frameworks relating to Looked After Children, Care Leavers, Court Proceedings, and Safeguarding.
- Advocacy & Diplomacy: Exceptional communication skills with the confidence to challenge practice constructively at all management levels.
Why Apply?
- Competitive Rate: Earn £35.45 per hour.
- Off-Caseload Focus: Lead quality assurance, practice improvement, and statutory chairing without carrying a direct operational casework load.
- Hybrid Flexibility: Modern working arrangements combining office presence, statutory meeting attendance, and home working.
Apply Today
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