Child and Young Person Reviewing Officer (IRO)

Location: Walsall
Working Arrangement: Hybrid – minimum 3 days in the office per week

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and qualified Child and Young Person Reviewing Officer (Independent Reviewing Officer – IRO) to join Children’s Services in Walsall.

The successful candidate will provide independent oversight of care planning and review processes for Children in Care, ensuring that children and young people's wishes, feelings, rights and outcomes remain at the centre of decision-making.

You will play a key role in challenging drift and delay, promoting high-quality practice and ensuring the Local Authority meets its statutory responsibilities as a Corporate Parent.

Key Responsibilities

• Chair and coordinate Child in Care Reviews and related meetings within statutory timescales.

• Independently monitor and quality assure care planning and service delivery for Children in Care.

• Ensure children's wishes, feelings, rights and desired outcomes are central to care planning and decision-making.

• Identify and challenge drift, delay or poor practice and escalate concerns where appropriate.

• Monitor the Local Authority's performance and responsibilities as a Corporate Parent.

• Provide professional guidance, consultation and constructive challenge to social workers, practitioners and managers.

• Advise on relevant legislation, policies, procedures and safeguarding matters affecting Children in Care.

• Promote positive outcomes and effective permanence planning for children and young people.

• Ensure care plans reflect children's individual needs, backgrounds, identities and circumstances.

• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the review and care planning process.

• Participate in quality assurance, auditing and performance monitoring activities.

• Contribute to service improvement and the development of effective IRO practice.

• Contribute to regional and national developments in IRO practice and policy where required.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification.

• Current Social Work England registration.

• A minimum of 3 years' post-qualifying experience working with children and families.

• Extensive knowledge and experience of Children in Care and statutory care planning.

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, permanence planning and statutory review processes.

• Experience chairing meetings and reviews.

• Experience providing constructive professional challenge to improve outcomes for children.

• Supervisory, mentoring or management experience.

• Strong understanding of the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer and effective corporate parenting.

• Excellent communication, analytical and decision-making skills.

• The ability to work independently while maintaining effective relationships with social workers, managers and partner agencies.

Key Skills

Independent Reviewing Officer | Children in Care | Care Planning | Safeguarding | Permanence Planning | Corporate Parenting | Professional Challenge | Quality Assurance | Statutory Reviews | Children's Services | Social Work | Multi-Agency Working