Children's Independent Reviewing Officer

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Children’s Services are looking to recruit Independent Reviewing Officers who will help make a difference in the lives of the children and young people we work with. We are currently on an improvement journey and have a clear vision of where we want to be, and what we want to achieve for the children in our area. Children are at the heart of everything we do and our relationship-based practice helps us to make positive and lasting changes in their lives and the lives of their families.

If you would like to become part of a team who work collaboratively with children and young people to help shape our service and influence practice, this team is for you. We are looking for potential or current IROs who strive to make sure that the voice of the child is central in all work undertaken, as well as ensuring safe, timely and individual needs led plans are in place for children.

The role involves providing scrutiny, support and challenge to the work of social work teams and making sure that care and protection plans are progressed in a timescale that meets the child’s needs. You will need to have good communication skills and be able to engage productively with families and other professionals, as well as being able to robustly manage and chair case conferences, and child in care meetings. IROs currently hold a mixed case load of child protection and child in care work. Upon consultation it is possible for caseloads to be separated into child protection and child in care work.

You will be part of a team that is dedicated and committed to achieving good outcomes for children and providing an inclusive service. Our management team provide a robust induction that enables new staff to become familiar with BCP systems, policies and procedures before cases are allocated. Case allocations are done on a gradual basis and an IRO/Team Manager review will take place on a weekly basis during the induction period to review progress and learning. Staff development, wellbeing and work life balance is also a key focus for the management team who provide a supportive, nurturing and learning environment.

We are looking for social workers with five years post qualification experience who have substantial experience in working within the child protection and child in care arena. You will need to be confident in chairing meetings and working with partner agencies. Most of all, you will need to be aspirational for all of the children and young people you work with.

Registration with Social Work England is a requirement and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

For an informal discussion please contact: Service Manager Nicky Campbell at nicola.campbell@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or 01202 123076

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Person Specification for more details.