Vacancy Details

Description

CHILDRENS AND JOINT COMMISSIONING SERVICES

QUALITY AND REVIEW

INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER                                                         REF: SR-102143

Band 13 £43,421 - £47,420 pa

Permanent post

37hpw

We are also offering a retention payment to IROs with no contractual tie in of £2760 for full year (pro rata) (paid in March backdated and reviewed annually). 

Hartlepool is a vibrant and energetic town with growing prospects, as an authority we want to make Hartlepool the best it can be. We have a strong commitment to reviewing and scrutinising children’s plans to make sure things happen for children in a positive way. We are seeking a dedicated, driven and committed Social Worker with at least 5 years’ experience with children in care and within child protection to help us improve outcomes for children. The role includes all functions attributed to the role of Independent Reviewing Officers including chairing reviews for children in our care, scrutinising and reviewing children’s plans, supporting children’s participation in their meetings and chairing child protection conferences. 

You must be child centred, able to champion best practice, be able to offer constructive challenge and be confident in leading meetings to ensure that the best plans are implemented for children. You will be committed to partnership working with families and other agencies and have a good knowledge of legislation, court processes and guidance relating to child protection and children in care. We were rated Good in our Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) with Outstanding for children in care and care leavers. Inspectors found that senior managers recognise that the provision of high-quality social work services relies on a well-trained, supported and motivated workforce. If you join us you will be part of a forward thinking and supportive team where supervision, training and opportunities for professional development are promoted. 

We have a flexible working model through the Council’s hybrid working policy allowing staff to work in the office and at home. Hartlepool Children’s and Joint commissioning Services have a strong and effective culture, we are a collaborative team and pride ourselves on the highly supportive and relational way of working both within the organisation and with our children and families. This culture has ensured that we have one of the highest rates of staff retention in the region and feedback from the recent national social work survey where Hartlepool Council came out top nationally, confirmed that staff are happy working in Hartlepool and the support they are offered by all levels of management is excellent. 

Hartlepool Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment measures, including an enhanced DBS barring list check and you also need to be registered with Social Work England. 

For further information, please contact Rebecca Stephenson, Head of Service Quality and Review 01429 284134 

Closing date: 21 January 2024, midnight 

Interviews 30th January 2024

In order to apply for this vacancy, you must be able to supply the required answers to the following questions: