Independent Reviewing & Safeguarding Officer - 37 hours

Do you have a passion for ensuring that children and young people have a voice, and their wishes and views are reflected in their plan? Are you committed to ensuring plans have a positive and timely impact on our children and young people?

As an IRO in Torbay, you will have a key role in improving outcomes and ensuring the safety and welfare of our children and young people through effective challenge. This is an exciting time to be joining Torbay's Children's Services with Ofsted rating us Good across all four judgement areas. The Ofsted Report confirms 'children's care plans contain the right actions to promote progress for children. Children's plans are regularly monitored through timely reviews. Independent reviewing officers contact children just before their review and maintain relationships with them'.

Are you looking for a challenging and exciting role in a dedicated team? This is a great opportunity to become part of a well-established, very experienced team, who are determined to achieve the highest standards of care and safety for children and young people.

You will have the ability to chair effective child-led reviews, be able build and maintain highly effective working relationships with children, young people and their families and a range of professionals in order to help drive progress for our cared for children and children on a child protection plan. You will need good technical knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and care planning regulations. In return, you can look forward to a career-defining Academy that champions and underpins personal and professional growth. Not to mention our reflective supervision model that is a vibrant mix of informal and structured oversight, offering you protected time to think.

Furthermore, you'll receive a comprehensive and rewarding all-round package, subsidised parking, good administrative support. You will benefit from new technology that will allow you to work flexibly and on the move which we believe is essential for an IRO to be able to keep track of developments and their children's progress.

This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.

There is a market supplement payment available for this position.

Essential:

• The capacity to relate to children, young people, their parents, carers and care staff and professional staff at all levels.


• Ability to challenge poor practice effectively.


• The ability to effectively chair complex meetings and to manage contributions by all participants ensuring clear outcomes.


• The ability to make independent judgements that take into account the views of others but are not unduly influenced by these.


• Self-motivation, personal confidence, leadership and negotiation skills.


As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.,
• An understanding of child development and the effects of trauma, significant harm, loss and separation on children.


• An understanding of all relevant Child Care legislation and statutory guidance.


• An understanding of the national minimum standards for regulated provisions (adoption, fostering, residential care).


• IT literate.


• Ability to demonstrate independence from Local Authority case management., Essential:


• A minimum of 5 years post qualifying experience.


• Social Work qualification and current SWE Registration.


• Experience of effectively chairing complex multi-agency meetings.


• Proven understanding of Child Protection Practice.


• Proven ability to write reports and contribute to policy development.