Children's Independent Reviewing Officer

Opus People Solutions Ltd; Berrington; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading staffing agency is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer/Independent Chair in Berrington. The role involves leading key child protection conferences and ensuring compliance with care planning standards. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in children's services and strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation. This position offers a predominantly remote working pattern, requiring occasional office attendance for meetings. If you are passionate about making a difference in children's lives, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a Social Worker required.
• Significant experience in children's services as IRO or Independent Chair.
• Strong understanding of care planning processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
• Complete statutory Child Looked After Reviews.
• Conduct midpoint reviews for monitoring progress.
• Undertake quality assurance tasks to evaluate care planning.
• Provide independent challenge to uphold children's rights.
• Ensure compliance with statutory guidance.

Skills

Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration

Experience as an Independent Reviewing Officer or Independent Chair

Knowledge of safeguarding legislation

Strong communication skills

Leadership skills

Report-writing skills

Ability to work independently

Job description

About the Role

Shropshire Council is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer/Independent Chair to join their team. This is a pivotal role ensuring that children's care plans are robust, compliant, and focused on achieving the best outcomes. You will provide independent oversight and challenge to ensure statutory responsibilities are met and that children's voices are heard throughout the process.

Location: Guildhall, Shropshire (with home working)

Working Pattern: Predominantly remote, with office attendance for ICPC conferences and monthly team meetings

Key Responsibilities

• Chairing Conferences: Lead Initial Child Protection Conferences and Review Child Protection Conferences, ensuring effective multi‑agency planning and decision‑making.
• Looked After Reviews: Complete statutory Child Looked After Reviews, ensuring care plans are appropriate and progressing towards permanency.
• Midpoint Reviews: Conduct midpoint reviews to monitor progress and address any concerns promptly.
• Quality Assurance: Undertake quality assurance tasks, including RAG ratings, to evaluate care planning and safeguarding practice.
• Challenge & Advocacy: Provide independent challenge to ensure children's rights and best interests are central to all decisions.
• Compliance: Ensure all work aligns with statutory guidance, local policies, and best practice standards.

Skills

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience as an IRO or Independent Chair within children's services.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and care planning processes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and report‑writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and maintain impartiality while influencing positive outcomes.

If you thrive to make a difference and have 3 years Social worker experience and this is the role for you, then we would love to hear from you.