Independent Reviewing Officer

Cheshire West and Chester Council is seeking a qualified Social Worker, with management or supervisory experience to join our dedicated Independent Reviewing Service as an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) on a fixed-term basis for 12 months. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that children in care receive high-quality, child-centred services, with robust oversight of care planning and a strong focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will champion the voice of children and young people, ensuring their views, wishes and feelings are central to decision-making. You will provide independent scrutiny and challenge where required, working collaboratively with social workers, carers, families, and partner agencies to ensure children are safe, nurtured, and supported to achieve their full potential. You will also play a vital role in driving practice improvement through quality assurance, audit activity, and service development.

This role is a key part of Cheshire West and Chester's ambitious Families First Partnership Programme, which brings together locality-based Family Help Teams, Family Help Safeguarding Teams, and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT). The programme promotes prevention, reunification where safe, and relationship-based, trauma-informed practice that places children and families at the heart of everything we do. As an IRO, you will ensure care planning reflects these principles and that family and kinship networks are explored and strengthened wherever possible.

This role is ideal for a highly skilled and experienced practitioner with substantial knowledge of children in care legislation, safeguarding, care planning, and corporate parenting responsibilities. You will be confident in providing constructive challenge, leading statutory reviews, managing complex situations, and influencing practice across multi-agency partnerships to improve outcomes for children and young people.

The council's approach is rooted in trauma-informed and systemic practice, ensuring empathetic and holistic interventions. Social workers are equipped with bespoke training, including trauma-informed practice and motivational interviewing, to deliver high-quality support.

Cheshire West and Chester offer a supportive work environment with strong leadership, reflective practice frameworks, and a culture of shared learning.

The council is committed to professional growth, with many senior roles filled by individuals who have progressed internally. High-quality training and development opportunities are available, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

A recent survey with frontline staff highlighted strong child-focused leadership, clear practice standards, and high-quality supervision. Staff feel trusted, supported, and valued, with many recommending Cheshire West and Chester as an excellent place to work.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Bright, modern, recently refurbished office environments
• Free parking at all office locations
• Competitive salary of up to £54,992
• Up to 16 days' flexi leave per year, in addition to annual leave
• Social Work England registration paid for by the council
• High-quality supervision and management support
• Strong reflective practice framework
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Clear progression and career development pathways
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee rewards and discount schemes
• Family-friendly policies and flexible working options

This role requires a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England and significant post-qualifying experience within children's statutory social work, alongside extensive knowledge of legislation relating to looked after children, safeguarding, care planning, and child welfare.