Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, relating to the Independent review of children’s social care if she will (a) publish all evidence and research to support the removal of Independent Reviewing Officers, (b) publish any plans around Independent Reviewing Officers being considered for different roles and (c) and if her Department has considered the conflict of interest between a child and their advocate when considering the removal of Independent Reviewing Officers.

Independent reviewing officers (IROs) play an important part of the accountability mechanism for ensuring that children in care are supported appropriately by the local authority. They play an important role in quality assuring the care planning and review process for each child and to ensure that their current wishes and feelings are given full consideration.

The department is fully committed to ensuring the voice of the child in care is listened to when services are being developed and delivered in taking forward our response to the Independent Care Review.

The department will publish an implementation strategy later this year, which will set out how we will improve outcomes for vulnerable children and place the system on a sustainable footing.