IRM Medical Adviser

About IRM
The Independent Review Mechanism for England (IRM) provides, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, review panels for potential and current foster carers and adopters when agencies have decided not to approve them as a foster carer or adopter, or to terminate or change the terms of their approval. The contract will continue until March 31st 2026, with a possible further year’s extension. 

About the Role
Medical Advisers will need to access the papers associated with the case direct from the IRM database, and as appropriate to liaise with applicants, Agency Medical Advisers, GP’s or consultants to clarify health information provided and prepare a report to be included in the papers sent to the panel. They would need to log all these interactions on the case record on the database and would be responsible for contacting applicants, GPs etc. themselves. 
For adoption cases, they are required to review the panel papers and attend panel but for fostering cases they can, where appropriate just provide written advice. If they do attend panel for a case they will need to prepare questions for the panel and to subsequently review panel minutes following the designated process. 
The IRM provides panel documents in electronic format, as it is a digitalised service, therefore most communication will be via email.
You will be home based with attendance at panels if required. Review panel meetings are held virtually currently six or seven times per month, though there may be face-to-face panels in exceptional circumstances. The panel duration is currently from 9:00am until 4:45pm. Each panel hears up to two cases per day and each case will involve up to one or two applicants, a supporter and up to two agency representatives.
Payment: These are independent associate positions, an hourly rate is payable for preparation of medical advice with a different rate paid for panel attendance (rates are currently under review). Travel expenses would be paid for face-to-face panels up to the IRM travel cap 
For successful candidates a standard DBS check and references will be required before taking up the role; an on-line induction and an opportunity to observe a panel will be provided. Associate medical advisers provide their own insurance to cover a minimum £100,000 liability.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application. Please note we do not accept cv’s.

We believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve our service. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community. This includes those from, Asian, African, Caribbean and other minority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are under represented at the IRM. 
The successful applicant will be required to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service

Purpose of the Role
To provide medical advice to IRM panels reviewing: a) determinations by fostering agencies in England who are minded not to approve or to terminate the approval of applicants as foster carers or to change the terms of their approval or b) determinations by adoption agencies in England who are minded not to approve or to terminate the approval of applicants as adoptive parents or to disclose or withhold protected information, contrary to the views expressed by the person the information is about. The Medical Adviser will be responsible to the IRM Contract Manager and Service Manager but will also need to develop working relationships with the IRM caseworkers and administrative team and the panels they are providing advice for.

Main duties and Responsibilities
• To have a good understanding of fostering and adoption and understand the impact of medical issues on foster carers and adopters.
• To provide professional advice on medical issues and attend panels for individual cases as and when required.
• To review the papers associated with the case, to liaise directly (where appropriate) with applicants, Agency Medical Advisers, GP’s or consultants to clarify health information provided.
• To prepare written advice and where appropriate attend the panel (panel attendance is a requirement for adoption cases).
• To use the IRM database to obtain and record information and work completed (access is given to individual cases for a time limited period).
• If attending panel, to send the chair questions in advance of the panel as required by all panel members.
• To liaise with the caseworker and IRM team on any issues relating to the case prior to the panel meeting and approve the medical advice recorded in the panel minutes if attending.


Skills, Experience and Knowledge
• A medical practitioner with relevant experience of adult medicine for example Consultant, Specialist, Senior Clinical Medical Officer or General practitioner; registered with the GMC.
• Experience as a Medical Adviser to a Fostering or Adoption Panel.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to assimilate large amounts of complex information within short timescales.
• Able to work on own initiative.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Reliability and a flexible approach to the job.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunity and diversity issues.
• Able to maintain complete confidentiality.
• Ability to use technology and work digitally. All documents are digital with medical advisers being able to access case documents directly from the IRM database for specific cases through being given specific time limited access.