Vacancy Details

Description

CHILDREN AND JOINT COMMISSIONING SERVICES

QUALITY AND REVIEW

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEWING OFFICER                                                            REF: 108133

Band 13 £43,421 - £47,420 per annum, pro rata

Permanent 

30hpw

 

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. The IRO service holds a significant role in driving forward change and a strong commitment to reviewing and scrutinising children’s plans to make sure things happen for children in a positive way.

 

We were rated Outstanding in our recent inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) and Inspectors found in relation to the IRO team that, ‘a very high proportion of children attend their children in care reviews and are fully supported to have a purposeful say in their plans. Independent Reviewing Officer footprint is evident, showing regular visits in between reviews to ensure that children’s views of their care informs their plans’

 

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, chairing child protection conferences and foster carer reviews.

 

You will have outcomes for children at the heart of everything you do and ensure listening to children’s voices and participation continues to be prioritised at every opportunity, as well as being committed to partnership working with families and other agencies. 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 have a good knowledge of legislation, court processes and guidance relating to child protection and children in care.

 

The recent Ofsted inspection found that… ‘like the children in Hartlepool, the workforce is listened to, cared for and cared about by senior leaders.’ If you join us you will be part of a forward thinking, supportive team where supervision, training and opportunities for professional development are promoted. 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.

 

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. 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 Elisa Arnold - Independent Review Manager 01429 523975 or Rebecca Stephenson, Assistant Director Early Intervention, and Performance and Commissioning 01429 284134

 

Closing date: Sunday 10th November 2024, midnight

Interviews: Monday 18th November 2024.

 

PLEASE NOTE - All communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the e-mail address that you have registered.  Please ensure that you check your junk mail.

 

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