Salary: 40,578 - 41,591 (Pro-Rata)
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Workbase: Office based can be discussed – the role will cover Barrow and South Lakes. This role will include travel across the county.
Contract: Permanent
All children in Cumbria deserve the best start in life and we're looking for the right people to help us make that happen.
We are looking for an experienced person to join us as a Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer (FIRO).
You will be part of the Countywide IRO Service and as such, will have a key role in ensuring we achieve the best possible outcomes for Cumbria’s most vulnerable children.
The Role
As FIRO, you will convene and chair the Annual Reviews for the county’s in-house foster carers. The Review will match the foster carers’ ability to meet the twelve child focused standards, as set out in the National Minimum Standards and the five aspects of the Secure Base Model…
-Helping children to trust
-Building children’s self-esteem
-Helping children to manage feelings
-Helping children to feel effective
-Helping children to belong
The Review should reflect and celebrate the foster carers’ achievements over the past year but also look at what additional support/training might be needed to help them further develop in their role.
The role is one of quality assurance and a 360-degree model is used, which will incorporate the views of all parties…most importantly the children being looked after but also the views of their Social Worker and IRO, the Fostering Social Worker and birth parents to ensure that the best possible care is being provided.
On occasion, you will also need to chair Extraordinary Reviews, which can happen for a variety of reasons, such as changes to qualifying determination, allegations made etc.
You will also be part of a working group that meets twice a year to look at all the disruptions to placements that have occurred, so that key learnings and actions can be put in place to improve outcomes for children.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for someone who has expert knowledge of Child Protection Procedures, Childcare Practice, the National Minimum Standards and Care Planning legislation, as well as being up to date with relevant research. Applicants will need to have the ability to chair meetings that at times may be difficult and challenging.
You will need to have the ability to produce reports that are reflective and analytical in your independent quality assurance role, which are placed before the County’s Fostering Panel and Agency Decision Maker.
A Social Work Qualification and registration with Social Work England is essential, as is the ability to work independently whilst delivering service priorities. Applicants should have ideally worked at either Team Manager or Advanced Practitioner level.
In addition knowledge and experience of using the Signs of Safety/Signs of Success framework would be an advantage, as we continue to embed this in Cumbria.
The ability to travel countywide for reviews and meetings is essential to this role.
This role requires an enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check. Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children.
Interview information
Closing date: 04/07/2022
Interview date: 13/07/2022 (Interviews will be held in person at County Offices, Kendal)
We are able to accommodate both in person and virtual interviews. If virtual, your interview will preferably be undertaken using the Microsoft Teams software, which is currently free for new users, however if there are any issues with accessing this technology, we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements prior to the interviews.
Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss.
What we can offer you
Cumbria County Council is a modern, vibrant place to work offering a range of staff benefits, including:
*Excellent training and development offers
*Flexible working opportunities
*Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
*Boost your pension with Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (facilitated by AVC Wise)
*Various perks and discounts schemes, including money off your phone contract and local gyms
*Competitive rates of pay
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Cumbria County Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
Please see below for further details:
Post Specification
Role Profile