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Independent Reviewing Officer

Salary: £45.50 - £47.50 per hour + plus mileage allowance
Location: Dorchester

 

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

Connect2Dorset 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 communication, analytical and report-writing skills.
  • The ability to work effectively with interpreters and young people whose first language is not English.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently.
  • The confidence to challenge professionally whilst maintaining compassion, respect and positive working relationships.
  • Previous management or leadership experience is beneficial but not essential.

We welcome applications from individuals with a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and identities. Dorset Council is committed to creating an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Contract Details

  • 3-month interim contract
  • £47.50 per hour (Umbrella)
  • 30 hours per week worked over 4 days
  • Mileage paid at 55p per mile
  • Significant travel required throughout the Dorset region
  • Face-to-face attendance required for reviews, visits and meetings
  • Hybrid working supported, however children must be seen in person and most reviews are conducted face-to-face
  • Flexibility required, including occasional late finishes due to meetings after school or travel outside the area
  • Attendance at Dorset-based team meetings approximately once per month

Why Join Dorset Council?

  • Opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of children and young people.
  • Supportive leadership and collaborative working culture.
  • Meaningful quality assurance and practice improvement responsibilities.
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
  • Mileage reimbursement for business travel.
  • Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities.
  • Work within a council guided by the values of Respect, Together, Accountability, Openness and Curiosity.

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.