Welcome to the South West Regional Page
Regional updates will be posted on this page including summary updates from regional meetings. The expectation is for each local authority to have IRO representation at each meeting. Failing this, our members should share an update via the template provided by the chairs.
Regional Leads / Chairs for the South West Region
Sarah Thayne| sarah.thayne@cornwall.gov.uk
The Region
Bath and North East Somerset
Bournemouth
Bristol
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Gloucestershire
Isles of Scilly
North Somerset
Plymouth
Poole
Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Swindon
Torbay
Wiltshire
Terms of Reference
These are available on the DfE website.
Regional Update
The South West region has an organised programme of regional meetings for IROs and IRO managers. The IRO regional meetings (SWIRO forum) was held three times a year but recently reduced to twice a year as there was not capacity to facilitate the meetings more frequently. These meetings are well attended by IROs and reported to be beneficial. There are separately two IRO managers meetings a year; the attendance at these meetings has been poor. The purpose of the meetings is to ensure an awareness of change and expectation of the role, allow a cohesive working and achieve positive change and outcomes for child looked after.
Upcoming Events
South West Regional IRO and Child Protection Conference Service Managers Meetings
| Date | Time | Meeting |
|
28/02/19 |
10.30 to 12pm | Child Protection Conference Managers |
| 12pm to 1pm | Joint IRO Service Managers and Child Protection Conference Managers | |
| 1 to 1.30pm | Joint Working Lunch (an opportunity for CP Conference Mangers to leave) | |
| 1.30pm to 3pm | IRO Service Managers | |
|
23/05/19 |
10.30 to 12pm | IRO Service Managers |
| 12pm to 1pm | Joint IRO Service Managers and Child Protection Conference Managers | |
| 1 to 1.30pm | Joint Working Lunch (an opportunity for IRO Service Mangers to leave) | |
| 1.30pm to 3pm | Child Protection Conference Managers | |
|
05/09/19 |
10.30 to 12pm | Child Protection Conference Managers |
| 12pm to 1pm | Joint IRO Service Managers and Child Protection Conference Managers | |
| 1 to 1.30pm | Joint Working Lunch (an opportunity for CP Conference Mangers to leave) | |
| 1.30pm to 3pm | IRO Service Managers | |
|
05/12/19 |
10.30 to 12pm | IRO Service Managers |
| 12pm to 1pm | Joint IRO Service Managers and Child Protection Conference Managers | |
| 1 to 1.30pm | Joint Working Lunch (an opportunity for IRO Service Mangers to leave) | |
| 1.30pm to 3pm | Child Protection Conference Managers | |
Priorities
We will be undertaking more work to build on regional representation and ownership in 2015 and the development of regional action plans linked to national priorities.
Workforce development
There have been some major changes in legislation and guidance this year. The region has discussed many of these and the impact it has on practice. Areas have shared their case loads and roles and their overall capacity, including the implications to practice.
The SWIRO forum had a barrister guest speaker to talk about the new PLO process; guest speakers to expand knowledge on children who are detained under mental health sections. The forum has considered the most recent research from UEA around Care Planning and the role of the IRO.
Action plan
The region plans to develop an action plan based on specific objectives set out in the partnerships national work plan.
Contact Us
For more information please submit your query and contact details below.
niromp.org 
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