Report CEF23015

The report provided a six-month update of the activity of the Independent Reviewing Service to January 2023.

In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Service Quality Improvement explained that approximately 70% of Independent Reviewing Officers were permanent staff and that the Local Authority continued to work to increase this number, including promoting the benefits of becoming permanent to its existing locum staff.  Another Member was pleased to note the increase in advocacy referrals for Children Looked After at the end of the 2021/22 financial year and the Head of Service Quality Improvement advised that Independent Reviewing Officers were working to raise awareness about the right and entitlement of Children Looked After to access advocacy services and that this would continue to be an area of focus moving forward.

RESOLVED: That the progress and actions of the Independent Reviewing Officers in discharging their statutory duties and contributing to the aims of the Corporate Parenting Strategy be noted.