How can a parent or carer of a child looked after under a voluntary arrangement complain about their child’s independent reviewing officer (IRO) or about a review?

Government statutory guidance called The IRO Handbook at paragraph 6.1 says:

‘One of the key functions of the IRO is to resolve problems arising out of the care planning process’.

This means they have a key role to play where there are concerns or disagreements about a child’s care plan. Or about where the child lives and is cared for.

But there may be times when a parent is unhappy with decisions made during the looked after review process. This might be to do with how the review meeting was conducted. Or could be about a decision made at the review.  In this situation, parents can consider making a complaint to children’s services.

See our Complaints page for easy to follow information about who can make a complaint to children’s services. And what the process involves.