Independent Reviewing Officer

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)

Dorset Council Children's Services

3-Month Interim Contract | £47.50 per Hour (Umbrella) | 30 Hours per Week Over 4 Days

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Dorset is a managed service agency owned by Dorset Council, offering temporary, contract and interim opportunities across the Council. Our work is guided by strong values of ethical practice, trust and genuine care, and every penny of our profit is reinvested into supporting local communities.

We are currently seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join Dorset Council's Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Service on a 3-month interim basis.

This is an influential role where you will fulfil the statutory responsibilities of the Independent Reviewing Officer as set out in the IRO Handbook, acting as an advocate for children in care and ensuring that their plans are progressing effectively and delivering positive outcomes. As part of a dedicated team responsible for reviewing the quality of practice for Dorset's children in care, you will drive improvement through regular reviews, recommendations, quality assurance activity, constructive challenge and the recognition of good practice.

You will hold a manageable caseload of children and young people, developing meaningful relationships with them and ensuring their voices remain central to all decision-making. Through regular child-centred reviews, you will work closely with families, carers, social workers and partner agencies to ensure children are safe, well cared for and receiving the right support at the right time.

This role requires a confident and experienced practitioner who can provide independent scrutiny, hold professionals to account where necessary, and contribute to service improvement across Children's Services.

Key Responsibilities

Monitor the progress and effectiveness of care planning for children in care.
Build positive relationships with children and young people, ensuring their wishes and feelings influence decision-making.
Promote meaningful participation and ensure children's voices are heard throughout the review process.
Provide robust challenge where plans, practice or outcomes fall below expected standards.
Escalate concerns where there is drift, delay or risk to children's welfare.
Recognise and promote examples of good social work practice.
Work collaboratively with social workers, managers and multi-agency partners including Health, Education, Police and CAFCASS.
Provide expert advice and guidance relating to safeguarding, children in care and statutory responsibilities.
Contribute to quality assurance, audits, performance monitoring and service improvement activity.
Support the development of policy, practice standards and continuous improvement across Children's Services.
Produce high-quality review records and professional reports using "language that cares".
Contribute to wider partnership and improvement work to strengthen services for children in care across Dorset.

About You

We're looking for someone who is unwaveringly child-focused, collaborative, strengths-based and confident in providing professional challenge.

You will have:

Current Social Work England registration.
Significant and varied post-qualifying experience within Children's Social Care.
Strong knowledge of the IRO Handbook, safeguarding legislation and statutory responsibilities relating to children in care.
Extensive understanding of child protection, care planning and looked after children legislation.
Experience chairing complex multi-agency meetings and influencing professional practice.
Knowledge of family law, care proceedings and legislation affecting children in care.
Ideally, experience working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people.
Excellent…