The National IRO Manager Partnership



The National IRO Manager PartnershipFollowing consultation with members, the partnership has approved this template for use by anyone in the process of completing their annual report.This template is intended for use as a guide only. It is provided in a template format in order that the user can more easily add relevant information to the greyed-out fields. Our aim is to add completed IRO Annual Reports to the national website as part of an approach to peer learning and review. FORMTEXT ????? Council – Children’s ServicesIRO Annual Report 2013/14The Contribution of Independent Reviewing Officers to Quality Assuring and Improving Services for Children in Care This Annual IRO report provides quantitative and qualitative evidence relating to the IRO Services in FORMTEXT ????? as required by statutory guidance. The IRO Annual Report must be presented to: Corporate Parenting Board and the Local Safeguarding Children Board.Purpose of service and legal contextThe Independent Review Officers’ (IRO) service is set within the framework of the updated IRO Handbook, linked to revised Care Planning Regulations and Guidance which were introduced in April 2011. The responsibility of the IRO has changed from the management of the Review process to a wider overview of the case including regular monitoring and follow-up between Reviews. The IRO has a key role in relation to the improvement of care planning for children Looked After and for challenging drift and delay. The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) research ‘The Role of the Independent Reviewing Officers in England’ (March 2014) provides a wealth of information and findings regarding the efficacy of IRO services. The foreword written by Mr Justice Peter Jackson; makes the following comment:111823555245The Independent Reviewing Officer must be the visible embodiment of our commitment to meet our legal obligations to this special group of children. The health and effectiveness of the IRO service is a direct reflection of whether we are meeting that commitment, or whether we are failing.00The Independent Reviewing Officer must be the visible embodiment of our commitment to meet our legal obligations to this special group of children. The health and effectiveness of the IRO service is a direct reflection of whether we are meeting that commitment, or whether we are failing.The NCB research outlines a number of important recommendations with three having a particular influence on IROs work plan priorities: Where IROs identify barriers to their ability to fulfil their role, or systemic failures in the service to looked after children, they must raise this formally with senior managers. These challenges and the response should be included in the Annual Report.IROs method for monitoring cases and how this activity is recorded should be clarified.A review of IROs core activities and additional tasks should be undertaken. There is a need to establish whether IROs additional activities compromise independence or capacity.Key messages – learning and improvement This Annual IRO report provides quantative and qualitative evidence relating to the IRO services in FORMTEXT ?????, as required by statutory guidance.Improvement activities for 2013/14 have included FORMTEXT ?????IROs work plan priorities: FORMTEXT ????? FORMTEXT ????? FORMTEXT ????? FORMTEXT ????? FORMTEXT ?????Professional Profile of the IRO ServiceThe IRO Service sits within the FORMTEXT ????? with its core functions consisting of reviewing plans for children in care and monitoring the Local Authority in respect of its corporate parenting and safeguarding responsibilities.IROs are located in a separate office at FORMTEXT add location. The location supports effective work with social work teams. The team has FORMTEXT state whether it has experienced change (and why/nature of) and if it has been relatively stable eg with with most children experiencing continuity of IRO. IROs are part of FORMTEXT eg the Children’s Services Social Work Management Team and are qualified Social Workers. The majority of the team work FORMTEXT full-time? part-time. In terms of diversity, the profile of the service is FORMTEXT at the same level as / not at the same level as Looked After population but is representative of a range of gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. IRO Service 20 FORMTEXT ?????/20 FORMTEXT ????? Structure: FORMTEXT Insert structure chart (roles, numbers, vacancies, business administrator support etc) What else we have doneThe IRO service has embedded the Cafcass and Independent Reviewing Officer Good Practice Protocol for Public Law Work. This has helped to ensure cases in proceedings are subject of robust analysis and challenge about the matters of critical importance to the child's safety, wellbeing and permanency needs. FORMTEXT Summarise any key initiatives, for example: A review of how work is allocated within the IRO Service has taken place. Triage of new referrals ensures children in care receive the best possible service. As a result of this (state difference made) ...Quantitative information - Looked After population and the IRO serviceKey MessagesThe Looked After population for 20 FORMTEXT ?????/ FORMTEXT ????? has ranged from FORMTEXT ????? to FORMTEXT ?????. IRO caseloads have been between FORMTEXT ????? – FORMTEXT ????? per fte IRO. This compares with the recommended case load of 50-70 set out in the IRO Handbook. A total of FORMTEXT ????? Reviews were Chaired by IROs in the year ending 31st March FORMTEXT ?????.The majority ( FORMTEXT percentage) of children and young people who started to be Looked After were age FORMTEXT ????? years. FORMTEXT Percentage of Looked After Reviews concerned children and young people with a disability. In these circumstances the increased time required to elicit the wishes and feelings of a child with additional needs is to be recognised.In terms of permanency outcomes during FORMTEXT eg 2013/2014, the FORMTEXT eg majority of children have returned home to live with birth parents and a smaller but considerable number have been adopted. On a month on month basis the majority of Reviews are FORMTEXT held within timescale? what assists this or what else is being done to raise performance ...Looked After population during 2013/14: FORMTEXT Insert chart, for example as shown belowThe age profile of children and young people entering care as at 31st March FORMTEXT year: FORMTEXT percentage of children who started to be looked after during the year ending 31st March 2013 were aged less than 1 compared to FORMTEXT percentage for our statistical neighbours. FORMTEXT percentage of children who started to be looked after were aged 5 to 9 compared to FORMTEXT percentage for our statistical neighbours. FORMTEXT percentage of young people who started to be looked after were aged 10 to 15 compared to FORMTEXT percentage for our statistical neighbours. FORMTEXT percentage of young people who started to be looked after were aged 16 and over compared to FORMTEXT percentage nationally and FORMTEXT percentage for our statistical neighbours. A national benchmarking survey (December 2013) identified that the average caseload for IROs ranged between 50 and 95. Within FORMTEXT name of authority, IROs have had caseloads of between FORMTEXT size fte worker during FORMTEXT period eg 2013/14. FORMTEXT Add any additional comments eg This caseload has been a combination of both Children in Care and those subject to Child Protection Plans. It is important to note that the size of caseload alone does not indicate the workload for an IRO. During FORMTEXT timeframe eg 2013/14, IROs have assumed a number of other responsibilities: FORMTEXT assisting with Local Safeguarding Board training; supporting development of local as well as national policy, standards and procedures; link work activities with teams; attendance at regional and national meetings and events. Permanency OutcomesDuring FORMTEXT timeframe eg 2013/14, the majority of children have achieved permanency through FORMTEXT summarise position eg a return home to live with parents or relatives (39.4%) with 20.7% of children being adopted. The profile in terms of children leaving care as at 31st March FORMTEXT year: FORMTEXT ?????%Returned home to live with parents/relatives. FORMTEXT ?????% Care ceased for any other reason. FORMTEXT ?????% Adopted FORMTEXT ?????% Special Guardianship Order (2.1% to carers other than foster carers and 5.2% to former foster carers). FORMTEXT ?????% Residence Order granted. FORMTEXT ?????% Sentenced to Custody. FORMTEXT ?????% Care taken over by another Local Authority. FORMTEXT ?????% Transferred to care of Adult Services.Entitlements and AdvocacyThe All Party Parliamentary Group for Looked-After Children and Care Leavers Inquiry (2013) asked children and young people what the most important entitlements for looked-after children and care leavers were. The All Party Parliamentary Group selected the five that they children and young people said were most important for looked-after children and for care leavers. IROs have completed routine checks of children and young peoples experience of the ten entitlements and have raised issue with the local authority where appropriate. IROs findings on the five entitlements for looked-after children for the year ending 31st March FORMTEXT ????? FORMTEXT % of children have a care plan that says what their needs are now, what will be done to meet those needs and the plans for their future. FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement. FORMTEXT % of children have a care plan that sets out their views. FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement. FORMTEXT % of children had information about their entitlements, including information about decision making processes and professionals’ responsibilities to hold a review before any significant decision is made in relation to their care plan. FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement. FORMTEXT % of looked after young people aged 16-19 who received a ?1,200 bursary to support them to stay in full-time education. FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement. FORMTEXT % When a social worker visits you they must speak to you alone unless you refuse, it is not appropriate at that time or the social worker is unable to. FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement.IROs findings on the five entitlements for care leavers FORMTEXT % of children had information about their entitlements, including their entitlement to a ?2,000 setting up home allowance. FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement. FORMTEXT % of young people had information about their entitlements, including information about what the local authority must provide to the young person in relation to help with costs of being in education or training up until the age of 21 (or 25 if the young person is still in education). FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement. FORMTEXT % of young people had information about their entitlements, including information about what help the local authority must provide in relation to the costs of getting and keeping a job (up until the age of 21 if the young person is in education, employment or training). FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement. FORMTEXT % of young people were given a copy their Needs Assessment and Pathway Plan. In a random survey of FORMTEXT number young people, FORMTEXT number FORMTEXT % were satisfied that they had been given a full explanation of their Pathway Plan. FORMTEXT Number and percentage of young people are in higher education and provided with vacation accommodation (or money towards it). FORMTEXT number informal issues and FORMTEXT number formal disputes were raised as a result of the authority’s failure to meet this entitlement.Advocacy provision in FORMTEXT local authority is currently provided by FORMTEXT ????? as part of FORMTEXT in-house / commissioned services. The Youth Justice Board commissions advocacy services for young people detained in young offender institutions (YOIs) and secure training centres (STCs).IROs routinely check that children and young people know about advocacy and how it can support them in having a real say in decisions affecting their lives. FORMTEXT Total number and percentage of the total looked-after population referred to advocacy FORMTEXT ?????. The broad profile of children referred for advocacy as at 31st March year:children with a registered disability FORMTEXT number and percentage.unaccompanied asylum seekerchildren with whose first language is not Englishchildren in secure accommodationchildren placed at a distanceIROs FORMTEXT have helped/need to do more to ensure that children have access to advocacy. Advocacy can be essential for the children and young people and these processes can make a vital contribution to safeguarding and promoting their welfare and rights. FORMTEXT Comment on any further outstanding issues that may need to be addressed to ensure the local authority meets its pledge, including those listed under the Ten Entitlements for children in care and care leavers.Timeliness of reviews FORMTEXT ?????% of Looked After Reviews took place within the statutory timescales. IROs completed some reviews in a series of meetings to ensure the relevant people were involved and the meeting remained child focused and friendly. FORMTEXT Insert bar chart showing % of children where all looked after reviews were held within timescales eg as shown belowWhat else we have done The IRO service FORMTEXT summarise any key initiatives to raise performance and make a difference Qualitative information - Achievements and impact of IRO serviceKey Messages FORMTEXT eg Children and young people have shared positive comments about their IROs.IROs routinely check whether children know about individual advocacy and how to make a complaint. They also check at Reviews whether an independent visitor is needed, and any communication needs requiring additional or specialist support.Children and young people’s preparation and involvement in reviews FORMTEXT ?????% of children and young people participated in their Reviews for the year ending 31st March FORMTEXT ?????. Participation includes attending and/or contributing to their Review.IRO have supported and encouraged young people in chairing their own review or setting their own agendas wherever appropriate. Quality of Care Planning IROs continue to quality monitor care plans and report that FORMTEXT % children have a child friendly care plan written in a clear, coherent manner. Children and young people can expect to contribute to their care plan and to expect that they will have their own copy. IROs routinely check that the care planning process has helped children and young people to have their say about matters important to them and helped them to understand what is happening and why. Progress-chasing Activities between Looked After Reviews FORMTEXT Summarise what IROs have done to ensure children and young people know how to contact them and the extent of any visits between review and expectations etcManagement oversightThe revised statutory Guidance states that operational social work managers must consider the decisions from the Review before they are finalised. This is due in part to the need to ensure any resource implications have been addressed. Once the decisions are completed the Manager has 5 days to raise any queries or objections FORMTEXT comment on how well this works eg but instances of this are rare. This may indicate that managers are generally satisfied with the decisions made at review. IROs have continued to monitor the quality of social reports to review and these were ( FORMTEXT ?????%) up to standard and most ( FORMTEXT ?????%) paid attention to the child’s progress in all aspects e.g. physical health and emotional wellbeing, school life and academic attainment, permanency and identity needs, etc. FORMTEXT What does this indicate about general quality and any comments about initiatives to drive up qualityChildren’s Views about their IRO and their review processA children and young people’s feedback system was introduced FORMTEXT ????? and has helped to ensure children have a say about their experience of their IROs and how they Chair their Review. FORMTEXT Comment, for example: The rating scales used are ‘Good’, ‘OK’, ‘Not happy’. Of the 25 reviews rated by children for this period, 19 were ‘Good’ with 6 rated ‘OK’ and 0 ‘Not happy’. Examples of written feedback from children and young people: 3718307487235500Quality Assurance of the IRO ServiceAuditing and observations undertaken by the IRO ManagerAudit of FORMTEXT ????? completed FORMTEXT ????? found: FORMTEXT ?????Identifying good practice, problem resolution and escalation FORMTEXT Briefly explain how this is done, for example: The Practice Recognition and Issue Resolution process was put in place to both record IROs formal recognition of good practice as well as issues of poor practice. Issues of poor practice are recorded on ...In total IROs have formally recognised FORMTEXT number instances of good practice during FORMTEXT eg 2013/14. All formal recognitions demonstrated a range of professional capabilities with the following reported most: FORMTEXT for example: child centred approach (28); building trusted and effective relationships (25); multi-agency involvement.IROs have had to challenge practitioners and managers informally on FORMTEXT ????? occasions and formally on FORMTEXT ?????. All informal challenges related to a mix of issues with the following reported most: FORMTEXT eg decisions not actioned from review (7); lack of relevant reports for review (4); IRO not informed or consulted about significant changes to care plan (4); concerns about health, education, contact or placement needs (3); ...Challenges escalated to formal dispute level have included a similar mix of issues with FORMTEXT ????? cases referred to FORMTEXT title Managers; FORMTEXT ????? case escalated to FORMTEXT title of next management level up Manager and FORMTEXT ????? cases were escalated beyond this. Supervision and trainingIROs have scheduled monthly supervision (pro rata) and adhoc supervision. All IROs have a Personal Development Plan (PDP) and are encouraged to attend training. FORMTEXT Summarise any initiatives eg The IRO team hosts learning events with ___ three times a year. Any resource issues that are putting at risk the delivery of a quality serviceThe IRO role is not to identify the resources needed to meet a young persons needs but to ensure that the needs of the young person are appropriately identified and met. FORMTEXT Comment on how well services are generally achieving this, referencing emerging themes and how these are fed back to the corporate parenting board and local safeguarding children board.Achievements for this last year FORMTEXT For example, IROs routinely check whether children want/need a referral for an independent visitor and/or individual advocacy. FORMTEXT For example, Effective use of issue resolution processes has helped to limit issues of drift or delay and the unnecessary escalation of issues. Areas for improvementTargets for the following areas have been identified and the service expects to deliver improvements by FORMTEXT eg the third quarter of 2015: FORMTEXT For example, The completion of ALL reports within timescale. FORMTEXT For example, Increased monitoring and tracking activities between Reviews with more time spent with children and all IROs activities recorded on each child’s individual record.Annual work programme for next year April FORMTEXT ????? – March FORMTEXT ????? Contributing to Key Measurable outcomes linked to the following factors:How permanency timescales are met.Helping to ensure the entitlements of Children in Care are met and understood.Implementation of National Standards of practice to evidence consistency in delivery of rigorous, robust approach to practice. Continuous learning from feedback from children and young people; parents, professionals and carers. FORMTEXT ?????Overview and Summary FORMTEXT ????? FORMTEXT Authors name, title, date ................
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