IROs warn of 'disastrous' impact of exemption clause

Provisions contained in the Children and Social Work Bill, which is currently going through parliament, are intended to give councils the ability "to test different ways of working" within children's services by exempting them from "requirements imposed by children's social care legislation".

Nairo said the measures threaten the continued existence of independent reviewing officer services, which local authorities have been required to maintain since 2002.

It said at least two local authorities are already considering requesting an exemption from IRO legislation if the clause is made law.

The role of an IRO is to scrutinise local authority care plans for looked-after children, taking into account the views of the child as they do so.

They must challenge the local authority if they believe the plan is not in the best interests of the child.

Jacki Rothwell, chair of Nairo, said: "We are passionate about improving outcomes for children in care. We believe this measure in the Children and Social Work Bill, if it became law, would have a disastrous impact on the rights of children in care, and on their lives.

"This measure is not about ‘innovation', it is about dismantling children's rights. I have not met an IRO in the country who thinks these measures would help children in care."

Nairo is calling on government to withdraw the clauses from the bill, and enter discussions with the sector about how the IRO service could really be improved for the benefit of looked-after children.

Concerns have previously been raised that the bill poses a "huge threat" to the rights of vulnerable children and young people.

In July the chief social worker for children, Isabelle Trowler, spoke out in favour of the controversial clause, saying she is confident that the legislation is intended to help children's services departments improve the quality of practice.

"Contrary to the media headlines, this is not some kind of sinister political plot to overthrow public authorities or a ruse to wipe out decades of children's rights," she said.