In brief
This Independent Reviewing Officer role focuses on ensuring the quality and legal compliance of care planning for looked-after children. The work involves chairing statutory review meetings, providing professional challenge to social care practice and ensuring children's views remain central to all decision-making processes.
Best for
Experienced Independent Reviewing Officers and senior children's social workers
Non-negotiable
Current registration with Social Work England required.
Worth knowing
Temporary 10-week assignment running from 2 November 2026 to 10 January 2027.
What you need
Required
Social work qualification
Clearly required in the listing
Social Work England registration
Clearly required in the listing
Child protection experience
3+ years
Childcare experience
3+ years
Management experience
Clearly required in the listing
Chairing meetings
Clearly required in the listing
Permanence planning knowledge
Clearly required in the listing
Quality assurance experience
Clearly required in the listing
Preferred
No preferred skills or technologies were clearly stated.
Your day-to-day
Chair independent reviews
Clearly stated in the job description.
Monitor care plans
Clearly stated in the job description.
Provide quality assurance
Clearly stated in the job description.
Promote participation
Clearly stated in the job description.
Advise on procedures
Clearly stated in the job description.
Produce reports
Clearly stated in the job description.
Experience expected
Level
Senior level
Based on what the listing states
Years of experience
3+ years
of relevant experience stated for this role
Clearly stated in the listing
Evidence from the listing
Years required
“At least three years’ post-qualifying social work experience, including child protection and childcare.”
Experience level
“Management or senior-level experience within children’s social work.”
What's on offer
Full job description (from employer)⌄
Are you an experienced, Social Work England-registered social worker with strong knowledge of child protection, looked-after children and permanence planning? We are recruiting an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) for a local authority in Bootle, Merseyside. This is a temporary 10-week assignment, expected to run from 2 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. The role offers hybrid working, with two days remote and three days in the office. The Role As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will monitor and review the quality, effectiveness and legal compliance of care planning for children. You will chair statutory, annual and ad hoc review meetings, challenge practice where required and help ensure that children’s views remain central to decision-making. Key Responsibilities Chair independent reviews for looked-after children and other statutory childcare meetings. Monitor care plans, timescales and outcomes in line with legislation and statutory guidance. Provide robust quality assurance and professional challenge across children’s social care. Promote the participation of children, families and partner agencies in care planning. Advise on child protection procedures, permanence planning, adoption and good practice. Produce clear, accurate and timely reports. Essential Requirements Recognised social work qualification, such as CQSW, DSW, CSS or equivalent. Current registration with Social Work England. At least three years’ post-qualifying social work experience, including child protection and childcare. Management or senior-level experience within children’s social work. Experience chairing childcare and child protection meetings, including Child in Need, strategy, planning and core group meetings. Strong knowledge of looked-after children, safeguarding, child sexual exploitation, permanence planning and adoption. Experience in social work quality assurance. Ability to remain calm, analytical and decisive in complex situations. Compliance Five-year employment history and satisfactory references. DfE declaration. Mandatory pre-engagement screening. Why Apply? Competitive rate of £348.23 per day via an umbrella company. Hybrid working arrangement. Opportunity to influence high-quality care planning and outcomes for children. Short-term local authority contract with an immediate start in November. Apply Today If you are an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer, Child Protection Chair or senior children’s social worker seeking a hybrid local authority role in Merseyside, apply today with your up-to-date CV. DBHR Solutions is acting as an employment business for this vacancy. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates
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