Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) / Conference Chair
Gateshead Council
Pay Rate: £34.45 per hour
Start Date: ASAP
Contract: Temporary
Gateshead Council is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer / Conference Chair to join its Children's Social Care team. This is a vital role supporting high standards in care planning and child protection.
Key Responsibilities
As an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO):
Oversee and scrutinise care planning for Children in Our Care, including those in fostering, adoption, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking situations.
Chair Children in Our Care reviews and ensure their views are central to decision-making.
Build strong, meaningful relationships with children and young people.
Promote best outcomes by holding services and partner agencies to account.
Challenge practice where necessary and ensure all activity is well-documented and contributes to a child's life story.
Support and model trauma-informed, relationship-based practice across the service.
As a Conference Chair:
Chair Child Protection Conferences in line with legislation and Gateshead Safeguarding Partnership procedures.
Ensure child protection plans are timely, robust, and clearly written.
Monitor the effectiveness of plans between conferences.
Challenge and escalate concerns where agencies fall short in their responsibilities.
Produce high-quality, analytical records using Gateshead's IT systems.
Requirements
Essential:
Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
Significant experience in Children's Social Care - particularly Child Protection and Looked After Children.
Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice models.
Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
Experience chairing complex meetings and managing professional challenge.
Current driving licence and access to a vehicle (or suitable mobility support).
This is an opportunity to join a high-performing, supportive team and play a central role in delivering excellent outcomes for children and young people.
To apply or learn more, contact:
Adarsh Parihar
020 8152 8922
a.parihar@ edenbrownsynergy.com
Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.
Eden Brown Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number 3643845. Our registered address is 5th floor 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, part of nGAGE Specialist Recruitment Limited T/A nGAGE Talent. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. This message is intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to us, and immediately and permanently delete it. Do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. We take reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email but cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage sustained as a result of computer viruses and the recipient must ensure that the email (and attachments) are virus free.
