Description Suffolk County Council – West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU £48,597 - £55,634 per annum (pro rata if part time) 37 hours per week Permanent We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as an Independent Reviewing Officer and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy. Reimagine the possibilities. A great opportunity to join Suffolk County Council's Safeguarding and Reviewing Officer Service as an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) based at West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds. Your role and responsibilities You will: be responsible for the effective delivery of safeguarding services for children in care and those subject to child protection plans throughout the County. as part of the role you will continue to work with and embed the Suffolk signs of safety and wellbeing practice framework. The framework is having a positive impact on practice development, effective engagement with families, staff morale and motivation across the service. provide strategic leadership and will work closely with operational management provide reports and analysis to directorate management on safeguarding issues provide scrutiny of care and child protection plans be responsible for achieving compliance against standards and operational requirements be a regulation 44 visitor to the Suffolk County Council children’s homes, including monthly reporting on effectiveness to safeguard children and the conduct of the homes. You will need a recognised social work qualification and experience at a management level considerable experience of children in care and child protection to be able to provide knowledge of current research and legislation to attend/chair meetings at a variety of locations throughout Suffolk and wider as necessary. You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. The team Independent Reviewing Officers: are divided into 3 geographical teams and this opportunity predominantly covers responsibilities in the North of the County are responsible for chairing Children in Care reviews and also act as conference chairs in initial and review child protection meetings. The role involves careful scrutiny of childcare plans, ensuring that key actions and responsibilities are being undertaken and most importantly ensuring a child’s safety and wellbeing is met either in a suitable placement as a child in care or in a family setting under a CP plan within Suffolk are all experienced and competent managers who bring a strong sense of mission to the important role of ensuring, with operational colleagues, the best possible outcomes for the children with whom they work. Empowering Everyone We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report. For more information Please contact Caren Russell for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263605 (direct line) 07714 922839 (mobile) or emailing caren.russellsuffolk.gov.uk. How to apply Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP. You should use the Supporting Statement template. Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4. Step 4 - Upload your CV Please note: Without a supporting statement and your CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitmentsuffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. Closing date: 11.30pm, 10 November 2024. Interview date: 20 November 2024. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. LI-Hybrid