Family Law

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has announced four national conferences which will highlight the pivotal role of Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO) and the importance of everyone within children's services working effectively to significantly improve outcomes for children.

Each Local Authority is allowed a maximum of ten conference places which should include at least one IRO, one Manager, one Assistant Director, or Head of Children's Services or Quality Assurance.

Registration closes tomorrow for the Manchester and London events, or Friday 9 January 2010 for the other events. The dates and venues for the conferences are as follows:

Monday 7 December 2009 09:30 - 15:40
Guoman Tower Hotel, London
Click here to register for the London event

Friday 11 December 2009 9:30 - 15:40
Renaissance Hotel, Manchester
Click here to register for the Manchester event

Tuesday 19 January 2010 9:30 - 15:40
Bristol City Marriott Hotel, Bristol
Click here to register for the Bristol event

Friday 22 January 2010 9:30 - 15:40
Peterborough Holiday Inn West
Click here to register for the Peterborough event

The recent Children and Young Persons Act 2008 introduced significant changes to the IRO role and function. The intention is that the changes to the statutory framework will enable the IRO to have a more effective independent oversight of the child's case and ensure that the child's interests are protected. These changes are based on the consultation process that took place during the Care Matters Green Paper period.

The event will provide an ideal opportunity for all those attending to discuss and explore the importance of the IRO within the context of the Care Matters agenda. There will be thought provoking presentations and workshops throughout the day that will reflect good practice and the enhanced role of the IRO.