Youth Offending Team Officer; Grade Non-Qualified; Social Care Non-Qualified

Location:Walsall
Working Arrangement:Hybrid – minimum 3 days in the office per week

We are seeking an experienced and qualified
Child and Young Person Reviewing Officer (Independent Reviewing Officer – IRO)to join Children’s Services in Walsall.

The successful candidate will provide independent oversight of care planning and review processes for
Children in Care
, ensuring that children and young people's wishes, feelings, rights and outcomes remain at the centre of decision-making.

You will play a key role in challenging drift and delay, promoting high-quality practice and ensuring the Local Authority meets its statutory responsibilities as a
Corporate Parent
.

• Chair and coordinate
  Child in Care Reviews
  and related meetings within statutory timescales.

• Independently monitor and quality assure care planning and service delivery for Children in Care.

• Ensure children's wishes, feelings, rights and desired outcomes are central to care planning and decision-making.

• Identify and challenge drift, delay or poor practice and escalation concerns where appropriate.

• Monitor the Local Authority's performance and responsibilities as a Corporate Parent.

• Provide professional guidance, consultation and constructive challenge to social workers, practitioners and managers.

• Advise on relevant legislation, policies, procedures and safeguarding matters affecting Children in Care.

• Promote positive outcomes and effective permanence planning for children and young people.

• Ensure care plans reflect children's individual needs, backgrounds, identities and circumstances.

• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the review and care planning process.

• Participate in quality assurance, auditing and performance monitoring activities.

• Contribute to service improvement and the development of effective IRO practice.

• Contribute to regional and national developments in IRO practice and policy where required.

Applicants must have:

• A recognised
  Social Work qualification
  .

• Current
  Social Work England registration
  .

• A minimum of3 years' post-qualifying experience
  working with children and families.

• Extensive knowledge and experience of
  Children in Care
  and statutory care planning.

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, permanence planning and statutory review processes.

• Experience chairing meetings and reviews.

• Experience providing constructive professional challenge to improve outcomes for children.

• Supervisory, mentoring or management experience.

• Strong understanding of the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer and effective corporate parenting.

• Excellent communication, analytical and decision-making skills.

• The ability to work independently while maintaining effective relationships with social workers, managers and partner agencies.

Independent Reviewing Officer | Children in Care | Care Planning | Safeguarding | Permanence Planning | Corporate Parenting | Professional Challenge | Quality Assurance | Statutory Reviews | Children's Services | Social Work | Multi-Agency Working