Independent Reviewing Officer (iro) in Leicestershire, Leicestershire

Job Title: Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)
Specialism: Social Worker – Children
Location: Leicestershire, UK
Salary: £42.00 per hour
Type: Ongoing, Part Time / Full Time

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) within Children's Social Care in Leicestershire, earning £42.00 per hour. This ongoing locum opportunity offers both part-time and full-time flexibility, providing an excellent chance to play a pivotal role in ensuring children in care receive the highest quality services and support. Working independently within Children's Services, you will champion the rights, wishes, and wellbeing of children while overseeing care planning and promoting positive outcomes.

Perks and benefits

• Part Time / Full Time: Choose a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and supports a healthy work-life balance.
• Hourly Pay: Earn £42.00 per hour, providing flexibility and excellent financial reward.
• Varied Work Environment: Enjoy a diverse role where each day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a difference.
• Professional Growth: Enhance your expertise through exposure to complex casework and multi-agency partnerships.
• Supportive Team: Work within a collaborative service that values professional challenge, innovation, and best practice.
• Meaningful Impact: Play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people in care.

What you will do

• Statutory Reviews: Chair reviews for Looked After Children in line with legislative and statutory requirements.
• Care Planning Oversight: Ensure care plans are child-centred, outcome-focused, and compliant with statutory guidance.
• Quality Assurance: Monitor the performance of services and local authority responsibilities towards children in care.
• Advocacy: Ensure the wishes, feelings, and views of children and young people remain central to all decision-making.
• Challenge and Escalation: Provide constructive challenge where delays, drift, or poor practice are identified, utilising dispute resolution processes where necessary.
• Relationship Building: Develop strong and effective working relationships with social workers, carers, families, and partner agencies.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely records of reviews, decisions, and recommendations.
• Service Improvement: Identify themes, share good practice, and contribute to the continuous improvement of Children's Services.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Social Work Qualification: Degree in Social Work or equivalent recognised qualification.
• Registration: Current Social Work England registration.
• Experience: Significant experience within Children's Social Care, particularly in safeguarding, looked after children, or care planning.
• Legislative Knowledge: Strong understanding of current childcare legislation, statutory guidance, and IRO responsibilities.
• Chairing Skills: Proven ability to chair complex meetings and reviews effectively.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and report-writing abilities.
• Professional Challenge: Confidence in providing independent scrutiny and constructive challenge where required.

Why Leicestershire

Leicestershire offers an excellent quality of life, combining picturesque countryside, vibrant market towns, and strong transport links to major cities. With a rich cultural heritage, welcoming communities, and plenty of outdoor and leisure opportunities, it provides an ideal setting for both career progression and personal wellbeing.

Working with Sanctuary Personnel

Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.

Apply now

Take the next step in your social work career and join Children's Social Care in Leicestershire as an Independent Reviewing Officer with Sanctuary Personnel.