Agenda item

The Panel received the Annual Report of the Independent Reviewing Officer Service presented by the Operations Manager which provided an update on the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) service in supporting and challenging the work of Children’s Social Care. 

All children and young people that become looked after must have an IRO appointed. The service seeks to ensure that children in care and foster care reviews are timely and carried out in the best interests of the child.  The service works hard to help young people and their carers to understand how children in care reviews work and an information video, produced with young people of the Children in Care Council (CiCC), was shown at the meeting, which is also available on the CiCC website.

Members commented that the video was useful, informative and young person-friendly. Councillor Walton asked if the video was shown to all children looked after. The Operations Manager responded that the aim is to show the video to all young people coming into care at their IRO placement visit which takes place before the first formal meeting. 

Resolved:

That the report be noted.