Independent Reviewing Officer – Children’s Social Care

Are you an experienced, Social Work England-registered social worker with strong knowledge of child protection, looked-after children and permanence planning? We are recruiting an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) for a local authority in Bootle, Merseyside. This is a temporary 10-week assignment, expected to run from 2 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. The role offers hybrid working, with two days remote and three days in the office.

The Role

As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will monitor and review the quality, effectiveness and legal compliance of care planning for children. You will chair statutory, annual and ad hoc review meetings, challenge practice where required and help ensure that children’s views remain central to decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Chair independent reviews for looked-after children and other statutory childcare meetings.

Monitor care plans, timescales and outcomes in line with legislation and statutory guidance.

Provide robust quality assurance and professional challenge across children’s social care.

Promote the participation of children, families and partner agencies in care planning.

Advise on child protection procedures, permanence planning, adoption and good practice.

Produce clear, accurate and timely reports.

Essential Requirements

Recognised social work qualification, such as CQSW, DSW, CSS or equivalent.

Current registration with Social Work England.

At least three years’ post-qualifying social work experience, including child protection and childcare.

Management or senior-level experience within children’s social work.

Experience chairing childcare and child protection meetings, including Child in Need, strategy, planning and core group meetings.

Strong knowledge of looked-after children, safeguarding, child sexual exploitation, permanence planning and adoption.

Experience in social work quality assurance.

Ability to remain calm, analytical and decisive in complex situations.

Compliance

Five-year employment history and satisfactory references.

DfE declaration.

Mandatory pre-engagement screening.

Why Apply?

Competitive rate of £348.23 per day via an umbrella company.

Hybrid working arrangement.

Opportunity to influence high-quality care planning and outcomes for children.

Short-term local authority contract with an immediate start in November.

Apply Today

If you are an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer, Child Protection Chair or senior children’s social worker seeking a hybrid local authority role in Merseyside, apply today with your up-to-date CV.

DBHR Solutions is acting as an employment business for this vacancy. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates