Independent Reviewing OfficerChild Protection Chair

Independent Reviewing Officer/ Child Protection Chair

Grade 10: 59511 - 63966pa 4000 Market Supplement

About the role

The London Borough of Havering is seeking an experienced and committedChild Protection Chair / Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)to join our Independent Reviewing Office. This is a pivotal role in ensuring that children subject to Child Protection Plans and Looked After Children reviews receive highquality childcentred and effective oversight.

As a Child Protection Chair you will independently chair Child Protection Conferences and Review Conferences ensuring that plans are robust timely and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people. As an IRO you will provide independent oversight of care planning challenge drift and delay and ensure the childs voice remains central to decisionmaking.

This role plays a vital part in promoting strong multiagency working and driving continuous improvement across childrens services.

Key responsibilities

• Independently chair Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences in line with statutory guidance
• Chair Looked After Children reviews ensuring care plans are purposeful timely and outcomefocused
• Ensure children and young peoples views wishes and feelings are heard and clearly reflected in plans
• Provide effective challenge to social care and partner agencies where practice or plans fall short
• Monitor and quality assure child protection and care planning processes
• Work collaboratively with social workers managers and partner agencies to improve practice and outcomes
• Maintain accurate and timely records and reports in line with statutory and local requirements
• Contribute to service development learning and quality assurance activity within the IRO service

About you

You will be a qualified and experienced social work professional with substantial postqualifying experience in childrens services including child protection and care planning.

You will also have:

• Registration withSocial Work England
• You will have proven experience providing effective management oversight and supporting high quality practice.
• Significant experience of chairing complex meetings and working with risk and safeguarding
• A strong understanding of relevant legislation statutory guidance and best practice
• The ability to provide constructive challenge with confidence and professionalism
• Excellent communication analytical and reportwriting skills
• A childfocused solutiondriven approach and commitment to improving outcomes

What we offer

• A supportive and experienced Independent Reviewing Office
• Opportunities for professional development and learning
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• A competitive local government pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement

For an informal discussion about the post please contact

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 18/03/26however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

You will be notified if your application has been date to be confirmed.

Please view Job Profile here

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age disability ethnicity faith gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.

The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.