Independent Reviewing Officer – Cared For Children - 25.90 hours

Independent Reviewing Officer – Cared For Children - 25.90 hours

Final date to receive applications: 27 August 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Leader

Compensation: £54,307 - £57,631 / year

The full time equivalent salary of £54,307.00 to £57,631.00 includes an amount for a market supplement ranging from £7,126.00 to £7,362.00 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

Are you an experienced Social Worker with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people in care?

Torbay Council is seeking an enthusiastic and highly skilled Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join our Cared For Children Reviewing Service. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people receive the highest standards of care, support and advocacy whilst helping to drive continuous improvement across children's services.

As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will independently chair statutory reviews for children in care, monitor care planning, challenge poor practice where necessary, and ensure that children's voices remain central to decision-making processes.

About the Role

• Chair statutory reviews for children and young people in care and secure accommodation reviews.
• Monitor the quality and effectiveness of care planning and service delivery.
• Provide independent advice, challenge and oversight to promote best practice and positive outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with social care, education, health, police and other partner agencies.
• Undertake quality assurance activities and contribute to service development.
• Act as the Designated Lead Officer for allegations against teachers and other staff.
• Provide safeguarding advice and support to education providers in relation to Section 175 of the Education Act 2002.

We are looking for a confident and experienced practitioner who can demonstrate:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
• A minimum of five years' post-qualifying experience working with children and families.
• Significant experience of chairing complex multi-agency meetings.
• Strong understanding of children's legislation, safeguarding and statutory guidance.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills.
• Confidence to independently challenge practice and influence positive change.
• A commitment to delivering child-centred, relationship-based practice.

At Torbay Council, we are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for children, young people and families. We offer:

• Hybrid working arrangements.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and learning.
• The chance to influence practice and help shape services for children and young people.
• A role where your expertise can make a genuine difference every day.

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

For an informal chat please contact Lucy Reeves on  or

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 8th September 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Essential:

• The ability to effectively chair complex meetings and to manage contributions by all participants ensuring clear outcomes.
• Ability to challenge poor practice effectively.
• Self-motivation, personal confidence, leadership and negotiation skills.
• The ability to make independent judgements that take into account the views of others but are not unduly influenced by these.
• Problem solving and analytical abilities.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Essential:

• An understanding of child development and the effects of trauma, significant harm, loss and separation on children.
• An understanding of all relevant Child Care legislation and statutory guidance.
• An understanding of the national minimum standards for regulated provisions (adoption, fostering, residential care).
• An understanding of Section
  175 of the 2002 Education Act and related documentation.
• Understanding of ‘Allegations of abuse against Teachers and other staff’ guidance and related documentation.

Essential:

• A minimum of five years post qualifying experience of working with children.
• Social Work qualification as recognised by Social Work England.
• Current Social Work Registration.
• Experience of effectively chairing complex multi-agency meetings.
• Experience of legal proceedings and adoption.