Testimony from a young person on the interview panel to appoint a new IRO

March 28, 2015

Courtesy of: Holly, Member of the Children in Care Council in Hartlepool

Being part of the interview panel for a new IRO is something that I really enjoy doing. I think it’s absolutely vital that a young person gets to see what input gets put into making an interview successful and picking a new candidate. I enjoy the fact I got to help choose a brilliant candidate for the role and I think if young people who have experienced working with IRO’s get to be involved in decision making and will make the future IRO’s a lot more understanding. You only ever get one chance to make a lasting impression and I think it’s absolutely vital to get it right first time. I think more young people should get the chance to play a role on the interviewing panel. I also get great satisfaction out of knowing a looked after person might get an IRO which I helped pick. If a person who is applying to be an IRO is interviewed by a panel of young people separately to the professionals I think it would give a clearer understanding of what that person is like with young people. Young people’s view and opinions are so important. I think it’s vital to get that across when picking a role which is as important as an IRO.