The Role of the IRO

The Role of the IRO

Nairo Training

By NAIRO (National Association of Independent Reviewing Officers)

Date and time

Location

Online

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event.

About this event

  • Event lasts 3 hours 30 minutes

Course Description


Overview

This course gives an overview of the role of the IRO and the legal framework within which it operates. The course will explore dilemmas in practice and in particular explore the duty to challenge. Real case scenarios will be discussed.


Timing and delivery

This is a half day course. It can be delivered online (using Zoom) or in person.


Content

The course will cover the following topics

· The background and rationale for the role of the IRO

· The legal framework underpinning the work of the IRO

· The review process – preparing for and conducting the review, and follow up tasks

· Exploration of the element of challenge in the IRO role and its justification

· Dispute resolution processes and resolving differences at an early stage

· The role of CAFCASS

· Case examples - group discussion and exercises

· IRO good practice toolkit


Who is the Training For?

Primarily the training will be for practising IROs or those who are interested in becoming an IRO. Others who work with children in care, and have an interest in the topic are also welcome.


Further information

Please contact info@nairo.org.uk for further information. Please note that NAIRO is able to offer training to individual local authorities, and the course content may be tailored to the particular needs of that authority.


NAIRO

April 2025


Tags

Organised by

NAIRO (National Association of Independent Reviewing Officers)

NAIRO is the professional national association for Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs).  We represent the interests of IROs and the significance of their duties for children who are looked after by Local Authorities.

We raise awareness of the legal duties and role of IROs through:

  • Representation on behalf of IROs to parliamentary committees
  • Awareness raising and campaigning, most notably in opposition to the Exemption Clause in the 2017 Children & Social Work Act
  • Liaising with key agencies such as Cafcass, ADCS, Coram, Article 39  about the role of IROs and advocacy for children in care
  • Sharing and debating issues faced by IROs through our membership google group
  • Training and development

There are about 75,000 children in care in England and Wales. Each of them has a care plan, which must be reviewed on a periodic basis by an independent person. That independent person is an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO). The IRO must scrutinise the local authority’s care plan for the child and listen carefully to the views of the child and others about the plan. They must challenge the local authority if they believe the plan is not in the best interests of the child.

£50 – £90
Dec 4 · 01:30 PST