Independent Reviewing Officer

Job Description

Number of Jobs: 2

Kirklees Child Protection Review Unit, Unit 5/6 Silver Court Industrial Estate, Silver St HD5 9AG
+ also Home working

1 Permanent and 1 Temporary

Job 1 = Permanent :
Job 2 = Up to 12 months from start date

£48,226 - £50,269

Market Rate Supplement of £4500 (reviewed annually)

At Kirklees, people are at the centre of everything we do. To provide the best possible services for children, we need a skilled, supportive and diverse team. In return, we offer a wide range of staff benefits to support your wellbeing both at work and at home.

We are looking to recruit 2 Full time roles for Independent Reviewing Officer’s (IRO) to join the existing team of IROs for Children Looked After.

• Permanent Role
• Temporary role for 12 months (covering Maternity leave)

As an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), you will work within the Child Protection and Review Unit. You will hold a caseload of children who are either Looked After or subject to Child Protection Plans. Your role is to:

• Chair statutory reviews and other relevant meetings.
• Ensure plans for children are meaningful, reflect their needs, and take account of their wishes and feelings.
• Check that national guidance, legislation, and Kirklees practice standards are being followed.
• Provide independent oversight of each child’s case, separate from the team that manages it.
• Contribute to quality assurance across the service.

We follow a restorative practice approach, working with families, social care teams, and partner agencies to support better outcomes for children.

We are looking for a skilled, confident and compassionate Social Work professional who can bring strong safeguarding knowledge, critical thinking, and high‑quality practice to our service. To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post‑qualifying experience in statutory childcare work, including direct experience in child protection.
• A thorough understanding of the legal framework relating to looked‑after children, care leavers, and safeguarding.
• Knowledge of what good practice looks like in working with children and families to safeguard and promote welfare.

• Experience of managing staff, including providing professional supervision and/or support.
• The confidence to work constructively with senior managers, offering appropriate challenge and critical reflection.
• Strong skills in chairing meetings effectively and ensuring all voices are heard.
• Proven ability to analyse complex cases and use learning from practice to influence service development and policy.

• Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS and barred list check. A criminal conviction will not automatically exclude candidates and will be considered fairly as part of the recruitment process.
• Ability to travel to different locations as part of the role. A full and valid driving licence and access to a car is normally required, although reasonable adjustments will be considered for disabled applicants.

This role involves hybrid working. You will work both from home and from our offices, depending on the needs of the service and the children you support.

You will also visit children where they live, including foster homes or residential settings, and you may chair meetings in various locations, sometimes outside the Kirklees area.

Review meetings may take place in person or online, depending on the needs of the child and their family.

We want you to have everything you need to do your best work. You will receive:

• A full and supportive induction programme
• Regular supervision
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Access to peer support groups, learning sessions, and practice discussions

We are a well‑established and respected service with strong working relationships across Children’s Social Care and partner organisations.

For more information about this role, please read…