Independent Reviewing Officer
Permanent, Full Time
£48,205 to £57,988 per annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 31st March 2026
Independent Reviewing Officer for West and South Essex. Home-based role with the need to travel to chair looked after child reviews and visit children.
To provide an effective Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) service for children in care, in accordance with statutory regulation, guidance, and Essex County Council procedures. To review the cases of children who are looked after as laid down in Volume 2 Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations (2021), and the IRO Handbook (2010).
The statutory duties of the IRO are to [Section 25B (1), 1989 CA]:
* Monitor the performance by the local authority of their functions in relation to the child's case.
* Participate in any review of the child's case.
* Ensure the wishes and feelings of the child are given due consideration by the authority.
* Perform any other function which is prescribed in regulations.
The Independent Reviewing Officer's primary focus is to quality assure the care planning and review process for each looked after child, and to ensure that the child's needs, wishes and feelings are given full consideration. The review process should consider the child's assessed needs, and their progress, and will agree both long term plans and more immediate steps that will meet these needs and promote the child's welfare. The purpose of the review process is to ensure that the child's welfare is safeguarded and promoted in the most effective way while looked after by the Local Authority.
The Experience You Will Bring
* Educated to Dip SW or degree level in Social Work practice.
* PQ Childcare Award or equivalent by experience.
* Current Social Work England Registration.
* At least five years post qualifying experience [regulation 46].
* A proven ability to form and sustain relationships with children and young people and the ability to promote the interest, wishes and feelings of children in care.
* A commitment to promoting family time and relationships with a child's family of origin.
* A comprehensive working knowledge and experience of working with children and families, and Children in Care and be fully conversant with all related statutory obligations, codes of practice and significant research findings.
* A sound working knowledge and experience of operational planning and service delivery within children's services in local government, with demonstrable and proven record of achievement in same.
* Experience of chairing meetings involving children, parents and/or carers and other professionals.
* The confidence and ability to work constructively with senior managers, offering a critical perspective and appropriate challenge.
* A detailed understanding and awareness of the requirements of leading and managing change within a large, complex organisation.
* Experience of providing social work supervision and support.
* Experience of developing and implementing planning and performance frameworks in a multi-disciplinary and partnership environment.
* A thorough understanding of the legal framework relating to looked after children and care leavers, including knowledge of the National Minimum Standards for fostering services and the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005.
* A thorough working understanding of the legal process and the issues involved when a local authority makes an application to the court for an order.
* Knowledge of the evidence about what makes for good quality practice in working with children and families to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families
Please take a look at our 'No Magic' Children & Families video
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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