Independent Reviewing Officer (part time)

A leading local authority in the South East is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join their Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service within the Children and Adults Directorate. This is a part time role for a qualified social worker who is passionate about driving high standards in child protection and looked after children services.

Working Hours:

• 2 hours per week.

Salary:

• Up to £55,607 p.a (pro rata as part time)
• PLUS £7,000 market premia + £3,000 annual retention payment after 1 years' service (pro rata as part time)

The Role:

The IRO will be responsible for ensuring that children and young people in care or in need of protection receive an efficient, high-quality service. They will independently chair complex case conferences and review meetings, ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard and acted upon. The successful candidate will be expected to challenge poor practice, promote inter-agency collaboration, and contribute to quality assurance and performance management systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Chairing child protection conferences and looked after children reviews.
• Ensuring statutory compliance and safeguarding standards.
• Promoting the rights and views of children and young people.
• Constructively challenging interventions that do not meet required outcomes.
• Supporting continuous improvement through audit and feedback.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with at least five years' post-qualifying experience, including management responsibilities. They will have a strong background in Child Protection, Looked After Children, and Family Court proceedings, and be confident working within legislative frameworks such as the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, and Working Together guidance.

Essential Skills and Attributes:

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage complex caseloads.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and children's case management systems (e.g., MOSAIC).

Additional Requirements:

• Enhanced DBS clearance.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Willingness to work in a hybrid style, with office-based supervision and face-to-face meetings with children.

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Connect2SocialWork is wholly owned by Kent County Council. In addition to our links with KCC, we have managed services in place with Hampshire County Council, Luton Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Dudley Metropolitan Council and Dorset Council. We also provide available work with the majority of the local authorities.

Connect2Socialwork is a trading style of Commercial Services Trading LTD - A company wholly owned by Kent County Council. Connect2Socialwork is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.