Independent Reviewing Officer

Join us at an exciting time of growth and transformation!

Birmingham Children’s Trust is expanding its Independent Reviewing Officer Service and recruiting two additional Independent Reviewing Officers. These posts reflect the growth of the service and our ambition to strengthen quality assurance, enhance participation, and keep children at the centre of everything we do. The IRO Service is on a significant journey of transformation, focused on strengthening our influence, improving the quality and impact of reviews, increasing children’s participation, and driving better outcomes for children and young people across Birmingham.

We are looking for passionate, experienced and highly skilled social work professionals committed to championing children’s rights, providing effective independent oversight, and working collaboratively to challenge and improve practice.

As an Independent Reviewing Officer you will play a vital role in ensuring that children in care have plans that are ambitious, effective and responsive to their needs. You will chair statutory Child in Care Reviews, provide independent challenge when necessary, promote the voice of the child, and work with partners across the Trust and wider system to drive positive change.

You will join a supportive and forward‑thinking team committed to continuous improvement, innovation and excellence in practice.

We have been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted following a 2023 inspection. This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children’s Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.

This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham. You must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and have the correct right‑to‑work documents to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not supported.

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• Have at least five years’ post‑qualifying experience in children’s social work.
• Have experience of supervising and supporting social workers.
• Be passionate about children’s rights, participation and achieving positive outcomes.
• Can confidently chair complex multi‑agency meetings and provide constructive challenge.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, relationship‑building and influencing skills.
• Be committed to high standards of practice and continuous professional development.

As part of the application process please submit your CV and a supporting statement clearly demonstrating your skills and experience.

Face to Face interviews will take place Tuesday 4 August 2026. Shortlisted candidates will take part in both a formal interview and a Young People’s Panel on the same day, providing an opportunity to hear directly from children and young people and demonstrate your commitment to participation and child‑centred practice.

Please contact Neil Beaumont for further information about this role via Neil.

Beaumont

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a series of background checks with Experian, including Experian DBS, Experian Right to Work, and Digital . These are essential pre‑employment requirements.

• A generous annual leave package of 30 days, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service and 35 days after 10 years of service.
• Free on‑site parking at our offices on One Avenue Road (Aston) and Lifford House (Stirchley). We also provide onsite electric car charging ports which are free to use.
• Full access to our internal employee benefits scheme, including Occupational Health services, Rewards Schemes, Benefits discounts (including the Blue Light Card), Health & Fitness and Personal Wellbeing support.
• Flexible and hybrid working policy – a combination of time in the office and at home with a variety of working patterns.
• Pension Scheme – you will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme in line with the local government pension scheme.
• A growing and ambitious service with clear plans for the future.
• Opportunity to shape and influence service transformation.
• Strong management…