Job title Independent Reviewing Officer - Social Care Qualified

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) – Social Care Qualified

Directorate: Help & Protection
Division: Front Door Division
Service: Children's Advice & Support Services
Location: 45 Fordhouse Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 3BN
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days remote and 2 days in the office

Office Attendance:

• 1 day at The Avenue – day of your choice

• 1 day at Lifford House – Friday

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and qualified Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join Birmingham Children's Advice & Support Services.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that children and young people receive high-quality care and support, with their voice, wishes and feelings at the centre of planning and decision-making.

You will provide independent oversight of children's care plans, ensuring that plans remain appropriate, outcomes-focused and in the best interests of the child.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake Independent Reviewing Officer responsibilities in accordance with statutory requirements.

• Chair and lead Looked After Children reviews, ensuring they are timely, effective and child-focused.

• Independently scrutinise care planning and decision-making.

• Ensure the child's wishes, feelings and lived experience are central to reviews and planning.

• Monitor the progress and effectiveness of care plans and challenge where appropriate.

• Identify and escalate drift, delay or gaps in service provision.

• Ensure children are receiving appropriate support and that their needs are being effectively addressed.

• Work collaboratively with social workers, carers, families and partner agencies.

• Provide professional challenge and promote effective safeguarding practice.

• Ensure actions agreed at reviews are clearly identified, progressed and followed up.

• Maintain accurate records and ensure all statutory requirements and timescales are met.

• Contribute to improving outcomes and promoting stability and permanence for children and young people.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current professional registration.

• Significant experience within Children's Social Care.

• Strong experience of working with Looked After Children and care planning.

• Experience undertaking reviews and providing professional challenge and independent oversight.

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, care planning and relevant statutory frameworks.

• Excellent assessment, analytical and decision-making skills.

• The confidence to challenge practice and decision-making appropriately.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• A child-centred and outcome-focused approach.

• The ability to work effectively with children, families, carers and multi-agency professionals.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Social Care professional to take on a key role in promoting high-quality care planning, safeguarding children and ensuring their voices are heard.

The role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, with 3 days remote working and 2 days office-based.

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