The recommendation, proposed by review chair Josh MacAlister in his final report to government, pushes for IROs to be scrapped, in favour of an “opt-out” independent advocacy service for children, which would replace the two roles with one child advocacy position.
The proposed change was met with mixed responses from the sector, with some welcoming the recommendation, and others expressing concern.
MacAlister previously defended the recommendation in a blog on the Care Review’s website, stating: “I’ve met excellent IROs during this review and they are some of the most experienced and skilled social workers in children’s social care. But they do not have the capacity, remit or independence to ensure children’s voices are heard or that their best interests are met.”
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
