Independent Reviewing Officer

Slough children’s Services Trust is committed to making a difference to children, young people and families. To help achieve this we are looking for an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)  to join our Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Service.

This is a key quality assurance role. You will need to advocate and champion our Children Looked After (CLA) and ensure care planning promotes early permanence planning. You will need to be skilled in engaging and supporting the participation of children in the review and planning process.

As an IRO you are crucial in ensuring that CLA voices are at the centre of our work as corporate parents; ensuring our children have opportunities to fully participate in making decisions with other agencies and their Social Worker.

To be able to do this effectively you will need to be a qualified social worker with extensive post qualifying experience, be registered with the HCPC and have the following experience and skills:

• A thorough working knowledge of the legal framework relating to Children Looked After including Children Act 1989, the Care Planning Regulations and the duties and responsibilities of the IRO as set out in the IRO Handbook (DfE 2010).
• Extensive experience as a children’s social worker and preferably with management experience at Assistant Team Manager or above level.
• The ability and experience to effectively challenge to ensure best outcomes for children, including effective escalation.
• Effectively contributing to training forums and other meetings and acting as an expert in the wider department.

At Slough Children’s Services Trust we offer exceptional support, flexible working and a chance to do things differently. We are proud to have created a place where social work can flourish. Our young people are looking for social workers who are down-to-earth, honest, approachable and who can be themselves. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

Slough is one of the most diverse places in the country outside of London and a great place to live or work. In fact it's the best place to live or work according to a survey by Glassdoor. Pleasant environments, above average salaries and a lower cost of living, mean an increased quality of life for employees. We're also one of the most accessible places to be, nestled on the corner of the M25, M4 and M40, and less than 20 minutes by train to Central London.

Slough Children's Services Trust works within the statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018. Further information on how we adhere to this can be found on our website and in each candidate information pack.