Independent Safeguarding & Reviewing Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Wrexham; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly rate (£51.02 Umbre­

3 Month Contract

Bi‑weekly pay

Safeguarding and QA service

Strategic safeguarding activities

Influence on safeguarding outcomes

Job summary

Wrexham County Borough Council is seeking an Independent Safeguarding & Reviewing Officer (ISRO) to join the Safeguarding People Team on a 3‑month contract. The role requires an independent approach to safeguarding, multi‑agency collaboration, and ensuring timely, child‑centred planning and reviews under Welsh safeguarding legislation.

As the ISRO, you will chair and lead serious meetings, oversee care plans, quality assure practice, and advocate for the child’s perspective throughout statutory

Qualifications

• Qualified and Registered Social Worker
• Registration with Social Care Wales
• Degree or Postgraduate Qualification in Social Work or related field
• Extensive experience in Child Protection, Safeguarding, Looked After Children, Quality Assurance, IRO services
• In-depth knowledge of Children Act 1989/2004, SSWB (Wales) Act 2014, Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019, Adoption and Children Act 2002, UN CRC
• Proven experience in leading complex multi‑agency meetings
• Ability to challenge practices and elevate concerns effectively
• Strong skills in safeguarding and risk assessment
• Experience in quality assurance and audits
• Report writing and communication
• Capability to represent the Council in multi‑agency meetings
• Team management or senior management experience
• PTA or equivalent
• Post‑qualifying award in Child Care or Child Protection
• Experience supervising staff
• Welsh language proficiency

Responsibilities

• Lead multi‑agency meetings such as Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Children Reviews
• Act as Independent Reviewing Officer for Looked After Children
• Assess and oversee safeguarding and care plan quality
• Address and escalate unmet needs promptly
• Ensure compliance with statutory timelines
• Advocate for the child’s perspective in planning and reviews
• Represent the Council in multi‑agency meetings
• Direct safeguarding practice improvement and QA initiatives
• Contribute to training and workforce development
• Address complaints related to children and young people
• Collaborate with regional safeguarding boards and partners

Skills

Leadership of multi-agency meetings

Challenging practices

Risk assessment

Report writing

Mentoring/workforce development

Team management

Welsh language

Public sector safeguarding

Education

Social Work degree

Postgraduate qualification in Social Work

Registration with Social Care Wales

PTA or equivalent

Post-qualifying award in Child Care/Protection

Tools

Quality Assurance

Audit frameworks

Data reporting tools

Job description

Independent Safeguarding & Reviewing Officer

Wrexham, United Kingdom | Posted on 22/09/2026

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector‑specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Job Description

Independent Safeguarding & Reviewing Officer - 3 Month Contract

Location: 31 Chester Street, Wrexham, LL13 8BG

Contract: 3 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

DBS: Enhanced DBS Required

Summary

Wrexham County Borough Council is in search of a seasoned Independent Safeguarding & Reviewing Officer (ISRO) to become a part of the Safeguarding People Team. This pivotal statutory position is crucial for ensuring that children under Child Protection Plans and Looked After Children arrangements receive comprehensive safeguarding, care planning, and review processes in accordance with legislative requirements, Welsh Government directives, and safeguarding protocols. The role demands an independent approach to evaluating practices, challenging inadequate decision‑making, leading complex multi‑agency meetings, and prioritizing the child’s perspective in all planning and decision‑making processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead various meetings, including:
  • Child Protection Conferences
  • Review Child Protection Conferences
  • Looked After Children Reviews
  • Part 4 Meetings
  • Strategy Meetings
  • Professional Position of Trust Meetings
  • Disruption Meetings as needed
• Serve as an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) for Looked After Children.
• Assess and oversee the quality and efficacy of safeguarding and care plans.
• Address and elevate issues when children’s needs are unmet.
• Ensure compliance with statutory timelines.
• Advocate for the child’s perspective in care planning and reviews.
• Social Workers
• Team Managers
• Ensure adherence to:
  • Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
  • Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019
  • Adoption and Children Act 2002
  • Children Act 1989 & 2004
  • Relevant Welsh Government guidance
• Generate management reports and quality assurance data.
• Analyze practice trends and identify areas for improvement.
• Participate in audits and quality assurance initiatives.
• Support the development and innovation of safeguarding services.
• Contribute to training, mentoring, and workforce development programs.
• Address complaints related to children and young people.
• Collaborate with regional safeguarding boards and partner organizations.

Requirements

• Qualified and Registered Social Worker.
• Registration with Social Care Wales.
• Degree or Postgraduate Qualification in Social Work or a related field.
• Extensive experience in:
  • Child Protection
  • Safeguarding
  • Looked After Children Services
  • Quality Assurance
  • Independent Reviewing Officer Services
• In-depth knowledge of:
  • Children Act 1989 & 2004
  • Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
  • Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019
  • Adoption and Children Act 2002
  • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Proven experience in leading complex multi‑agency meetings.
• Ability to challenge practices and elevate concerns effectively.
• Strong skills in safeguarding and risk assessment.
• Experience in conducting quality assurance and audit activities.
• Proficient in report writing and communication.
• Capability to represent the Council confidently in multi‑agency meetings.
• Experience in team management or senior management roles.
• Practice Teacher Award (PTA) or equivalent.
• Post‑qualifying award in Child Care or Child Protection.
• Experience in supervising staff.
• Proficiency in the Welsh language.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive hourly rate of £51.02 (Umbrella)
• 3 Month Contract
• Enhanced DBS Required
• Bi‑weekly pay
• Opportunity to work within a highly regarded safeguarding and quality assurance service
• Influence on safeguarding practices and outcomes for children and young people
• Engagement in strategic safeguarding, quality assurance, and service improvement activities

This role is ideal for individuals with experience as an Independent Safeguarding & Reviewing Officer, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), Child Protection Chair, Safeguarding Manager, Quality Assurance Officer, Child Protection Coordinator, Senior Social Worker, Practice Improvement Officer, or Team Manager within Children’s Services.