Independent Reviewing Officer

Oxfordshire County Council; Oxford; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking Independent Reviewing Officers to focus on children's welfare and ensure the best outcomes for families. The role involves manageable caseloads, supportive supervision, and opportunities for professional development. A competitive salary starts from £59,008 to £62,422 with benefits such as 30 days annual leave and a comprehensive pension scheme. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to equality and have relevant management-level experience in child welfare.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual leave starting at 30 days

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Childcare vouchers

Range of staff discounts

Excellent learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Relevant experience at management level in child welfare.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to learn and grow professionally.

Responsibilities

• Focus on successful outcomes for families using a relational approach.
• Use motivational interviewing to support children and families.
• Maintain manageable caseload as per IRO handbook.

Skills

Kind and caring

Advocating for equality and integrity

Always learning

Willing to take responsibility

Driven for continuous improvement

Job description

About Us

Working together to help Children, young people, and families to thrive.

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which will enable us to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. We’re seeking the right people who can help us get there while embracing our value of ‘daring to do it differently’.

In our Children, Education, & Families Directorate, we do our very best to help children, young people, and families to thrive. We know the importance of building relationships, empowering people, and building on strengths and this is reflected in our restorative, relational practice approach.

We’ve been consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do even better! Oxfordshire County Council is a financially stable local authority which is committed to investing in Children, Education, and Families, to ensure that we have the resources we need to make a real difference to the families we work with.

About the Role

We’ve transformed the way we help our Independent Reviewing Officers get the best outcomes possible for every child and family we work with. We do this through manageable caseloads, great management support, reflective supervision, continual professional development in a learning environment, and unwavering focus on your wellbeing, so that you can always bring your best self to the children you support.

We are looking for two Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO) who have relevant experience at management level and can support the delivery of a high‑quality service to ensure the best outcomes for Oxfordshire Children. The post available is for a generic IRO supporting the full range of Children We Care For. It’s a really exciting time to join us!

Responsibilities

• Focus on successful outcomes for families using a relational, strengths‑based approach.
• Use motivational interviewing to engage and support children and families.
• Be supported with individual supervision to promote your wellbeing and professional development.
• Hold a manageable caseload as directed by the IRO handbook to ensure that you have the time you need to spend with the children and families you are working with.
• Have opportunities to continue to learn while you work, by undertaking training, webinars, practice learning events and reflective sessions.

About you

• Kind and caring, with an understanding of and respect for individuals’ qualities, abilities, and diverse backgrounds.
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do.
• Always learning, with a passion to grow and develop your skills.
• Willing to take responsibility and contribute to the delivery of Oxfordshire County Council’s vision.
• Driven to do it differently to embark on a journey of continuous improvement.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive salary from £59,008 - £62,422
• Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Flexible working.
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24 x 7.
• Range of family friendly policies.
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peersupport, education and safe spaces for all.

Our Commitment to Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability‑Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our Commitment to Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi‑time, part time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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For any issues with the application system, please contact Stuart Jones on 07549 223574 or email [e-mail].