Skip to main content

This job has expired

Independent Reviewing Officer

Employer
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Location
Bluebell Centre, Chelmsley Wood
Salary
£46,845 - £53,006 p.a. Incremental progression is subject to performance.
Closing date
31 Oct 2021
Reference
SOL000004217

View more

Job Details

Hours:
37.0 Hours per Week

Solihull’s Children in Care are looking for an Independent Reviewing Officer. Our number one criteria is someone who listens to what we have to say, and makes sure that reviews are focused on us, in the way that best works for us. We want someone who invests in a relationship with us, not just someone who turns up for a quick chat before a review meeting, but someone who really cares and explains why decisions are made. We need you to make sure that our plans are followed through in the time that’s set and that you make sure we understand our plans and have our say.

If you are honest, gutsy, able to digest information well, trustworthy and flexible in your approach then we want you to apply. Many of us really value the roles that IROs play in our lives, so we are looking for the best people for this important job.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team in our Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Unit on a full-time basis where plans for children are independently reviewed. You’ll share responsibilities for chairing Child Protection Conferences and carrying out Statutory Reviews of children who are Looked After by Solihull Council. Managers will also value your ability to contribute significantly to quality assurance measures. We’ll look to you to promote service improvements and you will have a crucial role in ensuring that practice standards are maintained for children and young people.

Your main focus will be to assure the quality of care planning and review for every child – making sure his or her wishes and feelings are fully considered. You will also support the Local Authority Designated Officer by managing referrals and overseeing enquiries in cases where there is concern that a person in a position of trust is presenting a risk to children.

We use Signs of Safety across our service and our IROs have been leaders by establishing the model’s use in conferences, gaining positive feedback from families and our partners as a result.

What we want you to bring to the role:

  • A professional Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
  • At least 5 years post-qualifying experience of working with and developing effective relationships with children who are looked after or the subject of child protection plans, as per the regulations in the IRO handbook.
  • Sound knowledge of relevant childcare legislation and statutory guidance, including a clear understanding of ‘the IRO handbook,’ ‘Working Together’ and the ‘Care Planning Regulations’.
  • Experience of managing multi-agency meetings.
  • Good written and oral communication skills, including being able to analyse and evaluate information effectively and negotiate with colleagues.
  • An unrelenting focus on achieving great outcomes for children and young people, and a solutions-focused approach to achieving this.

In return, you will be part of a team where you will be really valued, and where you have the opportunity to shape and improve services.

We also offer:

  • A competitive pay scheme, appointment to which will reflect your experience
  • Guaranteed monthly supervision
  • A manageable caseload
  • Training and development, including training in our use of Signs of Safety and bespoke development pathway for IROs as part our workforce development offer.
  • Access to our Employee Assistance Programme – a 24 hour independent, free and confidential advice and support service.
  • Flexible working arrangements including flexi leave of up to 24 days per year and agile working arrangements
  • We currently offer the opportunity to buy up to 10 days additional leave per year
  • Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme

To apply, please click on the link below. If you have a specific question regarding this post, please contact  Naseema Ahmad, Principle Officer (Safeguards & Quality Assurance) on 07796 996192 or email Naseema.ahmad@solihull.gov.uk or Simon Stubbs, Head of Safeguards and Quality Assurance, on 0121 788 4310 or email sstubbs@solihull.gov.uk .

Interviews will be held on 18th November 2021.

#ChangingLivesSolihull

Please note we do not accept CVs.

The Fluency Duty is outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. The Fluency Duty for this role is Required .

This post requires the following Disclosure and Barring check: DBS Enhanced Adults & Childrens .

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and a commitment to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Supporting documents
Job description and person specification

Company

We've implemented a new system from Monday 4th March which will improve your candidate experience!

There is more information on the WMJobs candidate help page WMJobs Help!

About Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Solihull

Solihull is regarded as a popular and vibrant place to live in the UK. As one of the most prosperous towns in the Midlands, almost two thirds of our borough is designated as green belt. We have over 1,500 acres of parks across the borough, with 16 Green Flag Awards. Solihull is very well connected, with great transport links such as the M40, M42 and M6 all close by, and an excellent rail network, plus, of course, an international airport. We are home to the award-winning Touchwood Shopping Centre, National Exhibition Centre, Resorts World Birmingham, and the Resorts World Arena.

It is an exciting time for Solihull, although we are a relatively small local authority (c. 6000 employees), we still have ambitious plans including the development of UK Central and HS2.

Here at Solihull Council, we want to ensure that all our citizens have an equal chance to share in Solihull’s success. We do this by putting our customers at the heart of everything we do.

We recognise that our employees are the key factor in achieving our vision and as such, we are always on the lookout for talented individuals, who want to make a real positive difference to people’s lives and can help us to continue building on our success.

Both Smarter Ways of Working and Employee Wellbeing are key Council Priorities.

The transition to Smarter Ways of Working has presented us with the opportunity to re-think how and where we work. With the option to access portable technology, dependent upon the requirements of the role, a lot of our people are not bound to a single workplace or traditional ways of working, with many choosing to spend a good proportion of their week working from home.

tomOur people told us that they value flexibility, and that choice enables them to have a better work-life balance, manage family responsibilities, enhance their personal wellbeing, and continue to deliver excellent outcomes for the residents of Solihull.

Our people are our number one asset, and our aim is to have a healthy, happy engaged and thriving workforce.

Wellbeing is at the heart of our employee offer and we are a bronze accredited West Midlands Combined Authority Thrive at Work employer.  This recognises our commitment and action in support of employee wellbeing; we are currently working towards silver accreditation.

Unpaid carers carry out a key role within our community and know that this can be challenging when combined with employment.  Our Carer’s Policy and the ongoing support we give to our employees has resulted in us winning Employer of the Year 2022 at the Carer Friendly Awards.

We will offer you:

  • A friendly, supportive and inclusive working environment;
  • Competitive salaries including, for those at the top of their scale, the opportunity to receive a non-consolidated lump sum;
  • A range of flexible working options;
  • Annual leave starting at 25 days and rising to 30 days after 5 years' service in addition to public holidays with an opportunity to purchase up to 10 additional days' holiday per year;
  • A generous flexitime scheme (available for most roles);
  • Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme;
  • A wide range of learning and development opportunities;
  • A range of family friendly policies;
  • Employee benefits including subsidised travel passes, Cycle 2 Work Scheme, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and staff discounts.

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

As users of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who demonstrate they meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

For roles eligible for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check this will be indicated in the advert and supporting recruitment documents.  Where the post involves working with children, other vulnerable groups or in a position of trust it is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Further guidance is available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/945449/rehabilitation-of-offenders-guidance.pdf

Please note, where sufficient numbers of applications are received, we reserve the right to close a vacancy before the advertised closing date. We therefore advise that you submit your application as soon as possible.

Solihull New Logo

Facebook Logo [square]Twitter LogoLinked In Logo

Company info
Website
Telephone
0121 704 6000
Location
Council House
Manor Square
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 3QB
United Kingdom

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert