Member Job Opportunity: Kasper Fostering - ​Foster Care Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) - Essex & South London Regions

Kasper Fostering are looking for an Independent Social Worker to take on the role as Independent Reviewing Officer for our Essex & London regions. 

This would be to cover approximately 40 Foster Carer Reviews per year. These reviews have been taking place remotely during lockdown, but going forward, we would hope that these reviews will take place at the foster carers home. The IRO will be encouraged to see the child’s bedroom during their visit, to enable them to provide us with independent comment on the home environment provided to the child. 

The Reviewing Officer will be required to: 

• Liaise with the key Kasper admin staff and set dates in advance for reviews
• Review the reports and associated documents before the review meeting
• Chair the review meeting at the placement address. (SSW and carers in attendance)
• Ensure meetings are robust, with thorough exploration of: -

              - the carers practice over the previous period
             - exploring in depth any issues arising
             - checking compliance of household and agency management                        /safeguaring 
             - challenging parties where necessary
             - considering if the carers approval criteria remains appropriate,                        before making relevant recommendations. 

• Write a short consolidating report (within 2 weeks of the review) with clear recommendations for the Agency Decision Maker. (All recommendations need to be in relation to; the carers approval, fostering practice, professional development and agency support of the carers. i.e., not case management of the children’s cases)

Further guidance will be given, but the successful candidate will be an experienced registered social worker who has worked in the fostering sector and has a good knowledge of the Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards which underpin our work. Maintaining robust safeguarding practice is at the centre of the work we do at Kasper. 
The fee per review is £170 plus 45ppm and reimbursement of any other travel expenses incurred. 

Please call Rebecca Askew on 01227 275 985 or email Amy Ansell on [email protected] for an application form. 

Please see Kasper Fostering' s website

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