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Sign in or register for an accountSince 2004 all local authorities have been required to appoint Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) to protect children’s interests throughout the care planning process.
Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) were introduced to represent the interests of children who are Cared for by the Local Authority following a number of cases where care plans had not been implemented, leading to harm. Their role was strengthened through the introduction of statutory guidance in April 2011 that also introduced a monitoring role for the IRO.
One of the most important aspects of the IROs' role is to meaningfully engage with children and to remain child-centred in everything they do. Building a relationship with children is seen as crucial in making sure the child’s needs are met and being able to ‘fight their corner.’
The independence of the IRO is essential to enable him/her to effectively challenge poor practice.
All Child Protection Conferences are chaired by an Independent Child Protection Conference Chair. This means they are independent of the child or young person's case and are not involved in the day-to-day management of social work staff. It is the Chair's job to ensure that the conference is conducted in the best interest of the child or young person. The Conference Chairs have embedded a Restorative approach within their everyday practice. This ethos supports the Family Partnership Model and aligns with the overarching values of Salford City Council
A Young Person’s Plan (YPP) is a new way of working with young people. The aim is the young person is able to decide who they feel is the best professional to work directly with them. We believe that a young person with support can make more decisions about their own lives.
A Child in Need coordinator is a social worker who should make sure that the Child in Need Plan is happening in a way that meets the child or young person’s needs.
They chair meetings for the Child in Need Plan and will meet with the family members at these meetings or if requested outside the meeting. They do not replace the family’s social worker who manages the case. The Child in Need Coordinator is a member of the Safeguarding Unit and has independence from the service delivery of any of the agencies or practitioners that are involved with the family, child or young person.
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is the person who should be notified when it has been alleged that a professional or volunteer who works with children has behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child. possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child.
The team of Independent Chairs consists of 17 highly qualified Safeguarding Managers. They are: