Roles and Responsibilities of the IRO

Role and Responsibilities of IRO When consulted about the guidance, children and young people were clear what they wanted from their IRO: “When they meet the child they should do this one to one so that the child can talk freely. They must check with both the child, and other people working with the child, on whether the child is ok and happy where they are living and with their care plans. They must regularly ask each child whether they are happy with how things are being done for them, and keep the decisions made at their reviews.”

The intention is that current changes will enable the IRO;- To have an effective independent oversight of the child’s case To have a more child centred approach to care planning process To ensure the child’s wishes and feelings are taken into account To provide a support and challenge function To give clarity around the circumstances that the Local authority consults with the IRO To give clarity around the role of the IRO in relation to monitoring and reviewing individual cases To ensure that there is a clear dispute resolution process in place which is understood by all Role and Responsibilities of IRO

Key changes to the IRO role and function When a child first becomes looked after, a named individual must be appointed by the local authority as the IRO for the child. The intention is that each looked after child should have a named IRO to provide continuity in the oversight of the case and to enable the IRO to develop a consistent relationship with the child. IRO to monitor the local authority’s performance of its functions in relation to the child’s case. This duty extends the IRO’s monitoring role, which was previously confined to the authority’s functions in respect of the review. The intention is to give the IRO a more effective independent oversight of the child’s case and ensure that the child’s interests are protected. IRO to ensure that the local authority give due consideration to any views expressed by the child. This requirement is intended to reinforce the local authority’s duty under section 22(4) and (5) of the 1989 Act to ascertain and give due consideration to the wishes and feelings of the child when making any decision with respect of the child. IRO has the authority to adjourn review meetings if they feel that the process would be unproductive. This new flexibility is meant to prevent the meeting becoming a ‘tick box’, exercise. So, for example the IRO might use this flexibility because there is a lack of key documentation or because the child has not been consulted about the purpose of the review. IRO’s must speak in private with each child prior to each review so that the IRO personally establishes the child’s wishes and feelings about the issues to be covered at the care planning meeting. This requirement is intended to ensure that the child is properly consulted on matters relating to his/her care and is given the time to contribute to the content of the meeting. Referral by an IRO of a case to Cafcass should no longer be seen as a last resort, but can be considered at any time. The intention of this change is to reinforce the authority of the IRO to challenge poor practice around the child’s case. This annex summarises the key changes to the role and function of the IRO, as introduced by the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

Care planning Care plan including: health plan personal educational plan placement plan provision of services and interventions for child family and carer Visits to child (Regs 28-31) IRO role (Regs 45/46) Reviews - of care plan (Regs 32-38) Placement – Initiate appropriate placement (Regs 9-14) Permanence plan: rehabilitation with family adoption other long term placement The IRO has a statutory function in considering the safety of the child in the context of the care planning process. Care planning is the core element of;- Assessment Planning Intervention Review

The IRO is responsible for the monitoring of the performance of the care plan in relation to the child’s case;- To ensure the care plan represents an effective response to the assessed needs of the child Sufficient progress is being made towards achieving the identified outcomes to avoid any drift The assessment is robust with a clear analysis to identify strengths, protective factors and risks Plan can be easily understood by child/parents/carers Describes identified developmental needs of the child and the services required to meet those needs including services to be provided to family members Describes why a particular placement has been chosen Includes specific, achievable, child focused outcomes intended to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child and identify how progress will be measured Clearly identifies and set out the roles and responsibilities of family members, child’s carers, practitioners and frequency of contact of those practitioners with child/parent/carer/family member Reflects the views wishes and feelings of the child Describes contingency arrangements to reduce delay The record of the review must be of high quality and is the responsibility of the IRO. The record needs to address in detail all aspects of the care plan, placement and permanency arrangements Role of IRO

Social worker must inform IRO of any significant changes/events in child’s life, including changes to contact arrangements Includes changes which could impact on placement stability Changes to the care plan can only be made through the review process IRO must be satisfied that appropriate timescales are adhered to IRO Must be satisfied that the wishes and feelings of the child/young person are reflected in service delivery IRO should identify areas of poor practise both as individual workers and service delivery IRO should report concerns to appropriate service manager IRO must be satisfied that the child is able to participate in the plan IRO can request an additional review when there has been significant change/event which impacts on the child. Changes to the care plan can only be made within the review process. IRO must ensure that the child/young person has access to advocacy/independent visitor and is aware of the complaints procedure IRO must ensure that the LA fulfils responsibility as a ‘corporate parent’ for all looked after children. Areas for Challenge

Whenever feasible all placements should address the emotional, physical and legal needs of the child/young person Near home Should not disrupt existing education provision Siblings should be placed together Must meet the needs of the child(ren) Should be within the LA Should meet long term needs Should offer stability IRO should be consulted on out of LA placements IRO should consult with the child Achieving permanence for a child will be the key consideration from the day the child becomes looked after Placements and Permanence

The IRO must speak in private with each child prior to each review so that the IRO personally establishes the child’s wishes and feelings about the issues to be covered at the care planning meeting Current analysis The majority of children and young people actively participate in the review process The majority of children and young people are able to effectively communicate their views, feelings and wishes All young people in the sample are happy with their current placements All young people are able to participate in planning contact arrangements and have a good understanding when their wishes cannot be fulfilled Frustrations appear to be around the inability to participate fully in family life – e.g. lack of passport limits holiday choices Most young people are able to participate in appropriate activities in accordance with their wishes and age development e.g. driving licence and developing skills around independent living with appropriate support Wishes and Feelings