Agenda item

This report provides quantitative and qualitative evidence relating to the IRO Services in Brent as required by statutory guidance. The report outlines the contribution of Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) on quality assuring and improving services for Looked After Children. This report includes feedback from Looked After Children gained through consultation with Care In Action, Brent’s Children in Care Council.

This report provided quantitative and qualitative evidence relating to the IRO Services in Brent as required by statutory guidance.  The report also outlined the contribution of Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) on quality assuring and improving services for Looked After Children including their feedback.  Goitom Mebrahtu (Interim Service Manager Safeguarding and Quality Assurance), in his introduction informed the Committee that the majority of Looked After Children over the age of four (94%) reported that their life was improving as a result of the support provided by their social worker and IRO.

The Interim Service Manager highlighted the summary of key messages from which it was noted that the majority of children and young people benefitted from having the same IRO throughout their care journey and provided a positive feedback about this.  94.5% of reviews were held well within timescales and managed in the way that best responded to the child’s needs.  IROs fulfilled their challenge function, including escalation when appropriate, ensuring impact for children and evidencing good practice, working closely with Child Protection Advisers to share good practice.  Members heard that IROs’ knowledge and expertise ensured that they were able to offer appropriate oversight and challenge to inform effective care planning and promote best practice.  Social workers and managers also understood the requirement for IRO scrutiny and challenge and, welcome their independent perspective.

He then drew Members’ attention to areas for improvement.  It was noted that there continued to be some instances when IROs were not consulted prior to a change of a care plan.  To address that, Service Managers within Permanency and Care Planning Service had attended the IROs meeting and would continue to monitor compliance.  Members heard that social workers’ reports and updated care plans were not always available before the review which often impacted on IRO time to fully prepare for the review. He advised that IROs needed to become more involved in the scrutiny of the health of Looked After Children and incorporate all health assessment recommendations within the review.  Members noted that 95% of health assessments were completed within the period.  He added that through monitoring and reporting back via monthly meetings, the issues highlighted within the annual report could be addressed.

In the ensuing discussions, Members sought an update on the challenges highlighted in the report since the annual report was completed, referrals for advocacy support and whether the IRO and Safeguarding Team plans in 2019/20 as set out within the report were on track. 

In response, Onder Beter informed the Committee that in excess of 95% of the issues highlighted above by the Interim Manager had all been addressed.  A care leaver’s representative remarked that she had found the IRO service to be helpful.  The Interim Manager provided further updates on the advocacy support and added that the profile of the service would be raised and widely advertised in future. In respect of the plans for 2019/20, the Interim Manager advised that these were on track.

In welcoming the report and the updates, Members RESOLVED:

That the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) Annual Report 2018/19 be noted.