Independent Reviewing Officer - Social Care Qualified

upportive Bridge Staffing Agency is recruiting on behalf of Birmingham Children’s Trust for an experienced and qualified Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join their Children’s Social Care service.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced social care professional to take on a key role in ensuring children receive appropriate support, protection and care, with a strong focus on safeguarding, outcomes and effective care planning.

📍 Location & Working Pattern

Primary location:
45 Fordhouse Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 3BN

Hybrid working: 3 days remote and 2 days in the office.

The office-based arrangement includes:

• 1 day at The Avenue – day of your choice

• 1 day at Lifford House – Friday

• Remaining working days remotely

Some travel may be required as part of the role.

💼 Role Details

• Job Title: Independent Reviewing Officer – Social Care Qualified

• Employer: Birmingham Children’s Trust

• Employment Type: Temporary

• Contract Duration: 12 weeks

• Start Date: 24 August 2026

• Hours: 36.5 hours per week

• Number of Positions: 1

• IR35: Inside IR35

• Reason for Vacancy: Recruitment vacancy

• Directorate: Help & Protection

• Service: Children's Advice & Support Services

💷 Pay

PAYE: £27.89 per hour
Limited/Umbrella: £37.99 per hour

About the Role

As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will play a vital role in ensuring that children who are looked after receive high-quality care and that their plans remain focused on their individual needs, safety, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.

You will independently review children’s care plans, monitor progress against agreed outcomes and provide appropriate challenge where plans or services are not meeting the child's needs.

The successful candidate will work closely with social workers, managers, children, parents, carers, foster carers and partner agencies to ensure that children’s voices are heard and that effective plans are implemented.

You will use your professional judgement and knowledge of statutory children's social care processes to provide robust oversight, constructive challenge and effective decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Chair and conduct statutory Looked After Children reviews in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance.

• Ensure children’s views, wishes and feelings are central to the review process.

• Independently scrutinise and monitor care planning arrangements.

• Ensure care plans remain appropriate, outcome-focused and responsive to changing circumstances.

• Provide constructive challenge to social workers, managers and partner agencies where necessary.

• Monitor whether agreed actions from reviews are completed within appropriate timescales.

• Identify and escalate drift, delay, safeguarding concerns or gaps in service provision.

• Ensure children are receiving appropriate support to achieve positive outcomes.

• Work collaboratively with children, families, carers and multi-agency professionals.

• Maintain accurate, timely and high-quality records of reviews, decisions and recommendations.

• Contribute to improving practice, quality assurance and outcomes across the service.

• Ensure statutory responsibilities and relevant safeguarding procedures are followed.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and confident Independent Reviewing Officer or senior children's social care professional who can provide effective independent oversight and constructive challenge.

you are interested this position send the cv in www.supportivebridge.com