Independent Reviewing Officer/Child Protection Chair at Havering Candidate Experience Site

Romford, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 Jun, 26

Salary

63966.0

Posted On

22 Mar, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Child Protection Chairing, Independent Reviewing Officer, Child Protection Plans, Looked After Children Reviews, Statutory Guidance Adherence, Care Planning Oversight, Multi-Agency Working, Quality Assurance, Constructive Challenge, Communication, Analytical Skills, Report Writing, Social Work, Safeguarding, Risk Management

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Independent Reviewing Officer/ Child Protection Chair Grade 10: £59,511 - £63,966pa + £4000 Market Supplement About the role The London Borough of Havering is seeking an experienced and committed Child Protection Chair / Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join our Independent Reviewing Office. This is a pivotal role in ensuring that children subject to Child Protection Plans and Looked After Children reviews receive high‑quality, child‑centred and effective oversight. As a Child Protection Chair, you will independently chair Child Protection Conferences and Review Conferences, ensuring that plans are robust, timely and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people. As an IRO, you will provide independent oversight of care planning, challenge drift and delay, and ensure the child’s voice remains central to decision‑making. This role plays a vital part in promoting strong multi‑agency working and driving continuous improvement across children’s services. Key responsibilities * Independently chair Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences in line with statutory guidance * Chair Looked After Children reviews, ensuring care plans are purposeful, timely and outcome‑focused * Ensure children and young people’s views, wishes and feelings are heard and clearly reflected in plans * Provide effective challenge to social care and partner agencies where practice or plans fall short * Monitor and quality assure child protection and care planning processes * Work collaboratively with social workers, managers and partner agencies to improve practice and outcomes * Maintain accurate and timely records and reports in line with statutory and local requirements * Contribute to service development, learning and quality assurance activity within the IRO service About you You will be a qualified and experienced social work professional with substantial post‑qualifying experience in children’s services, including child protection and care planning. You will also have: * Registration with Social Work England * You will have proven experience providing effective management oversight and supporting high quality practice. * Significant experience of chairing complex meetings and working with risk and safeguarding * A strong understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and best practice * The ability to provide constructive challenge with confidence and professionalism * Excellent communication, analytical and report‑writing skills * A child‑focused, solution‑driven approach and commitment to improving outcomes What we offer * A supportive and experienced Independent Reviewing Office * Opportunities for professional development and learning * Flexible and hybrid working arrangements * A competitive local government pension scheme * Generous annual leave entitlement For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Latiika.russell@havering.gov.uk [Latiika.russell@havering.gov.uk] The closing date for the receipt of applications is 18/03/26, however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early. You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed. Please view Job Profile [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fx-RLjRvzZkgYxYn0pgMNS9ErpWB70so/view?usp=sharing]here Additional Information We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering [https://www.havering.gov.uk/info/20207/havering_staff/831/choose_havering]. The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload. With its excellent transport links into central London, extensive town centre regeneration and the highest concentration of green space anywhere in London, Havering has a unique offer as a place to live, work and visit. By making the most of its position and opportunities, Havering is becoming a hub for start-ups and expanding businesses, as well as construction, logistics, engineering and manufacturing industries. Find out why you should work for Havering Council [https://www.havering.gov.uk/info/20197/jobs_-_why_work_for-us].

Responsibilities

The role involves independently chairing Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Children reviews, ensuring plans are robust, timely, and focused on improving outcomes for children. Responsibilities also include providing independent oversight of care planning, challenging delays, and ensuring the child’s voice is central to decision-making.