Independent Reviewing Officer

SW Locums are looking for an Independent Reviewing Officer (RO) for Children's Services in Portsmouth. The role is a Secondment to cover Maternity for at least 9 months. There is some working from home but also an obvious need to go and see children at whatever location they are in but also to come in to the office as needed including to chair CP conferences if needed.

**Client Requirements**:

- Be a registered social worker and have substantial post qualifying experience of statutory child care social work - this should include some management experience.
- Have the skills and ability to develop relationships with children and young people and promote their engagement and participation in their meetings.
- Be experienced in chairing multiagency meetings that are inclusive of children, young people and family members and are managed effectively.
- Be able to identify, challenge and escalate issues that hinder the progression of children's plans.
- A key element of this role will be the crucial need to work closely with all those involved and to maintain independence and objectivity.
- Be able to write concise and good quality reports in a timely manner, edit minutes and record decisions on the electronic recording system. Relevant training and development opportunities will be available. We write a letter to each child following reviews and you will need to be able to write to children in a manner that is sensitive and appropriate to their age and understanding.
- Be a good communicator, building working relationships and liaising with people at all levels. The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
- Be able to work on your own and as part of a larger team which works to national standards, regulations, performance indicators and local procedures.
- Be a person with excellent organisation and prioritisation skills as you will be planning, organising, and managing your workload in a busy, complex environment with specific deadlines and requirements.
- Be flexible in your hours of work and available to travel within the City and further afield, as there will be some travel to locations throughout the UK for reviews. Some overnight stays may be required for this. Full driving licence will be required.
- Be able to use basic IT packages including electronic diaries and Word. Training will be given concerning in-house specific IT systems and processes.
- Be prepared to contribute to the training and development of other Portsmouth City Council staff and, if required, those from other organisations, for example by facilitating learning sets.

**Duties**:

- You will chair child protection conferences ensuring they are restorative in approach, with robust analysis and challenge. You will have a key role in ensuring that child protection plans are coproduced with families, SMART and clearly set out what will be offered to reduce harm and the outcomes to be achieved.
- You will be responsible for scrutinising and monitoring the progression of plans, addressing drift where necessary and to ensure they are delivered with pace. Where necessary, you will escalate concerns to ensure child safety.
- As an IRO for children that we care for, you will fulfil all the functions of the role as set out in the IRO Handbook. This includes chairing review meetings, developing relationships and consulting with children, young people, parents and significant others, having oversight of the care planning process including promotion of good quality care plans for all children. You will provide oversight between reviews to ensure that plans are progressed and permanence is achieved.
- The IROs work as a team to manage the workload and provide professional support and advice to operational teams and multi-agency partners.
- As part of the Children & Families Social Care and Safeguarding management team you will be involved in business planning and working with other agencies in the city.
- The IROs make a significant contribution to the Quality Assurance Framework within Children's Social Care, and IRO's are involved in undertaking a variety of audit activity, sometimes on a multi
- agency basis.
- Working in partnership with service users, carers and a wide range of staff from our own and other organisations is key to all of our work and an essential role in this post.

**SW Locums offer you**:

- Fastest pay available, from completion of timesheet to reaching your bank.
- Constant, polite support with your own, vastly experienced and knowledgeable consultant.
- Great rates of pay.
- No “waffle”, informative and conscientious advice.
- Contact available 24/7.
- Access to exclusive vacancies nationwide.
- Free DBS and compliance service.
- Access to on-going training opportunities.
- Industry leading “Refer a Friend” recommendation scheme offering up to £300 for successfully placed referrals.*
- Excellent “Find your own job” bonus - get £350 for