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