Independent Reviewing Officer

Position: Independent Reviewing Officer
Team: Looked After Children
Pay Rate: £40 per hour (Umbrella)
Location: Yorkshire
Working Pattern: Hybrid – minimum of 3 days office-based

Sheldon Phillips are working with a Local Authority in Yorkshire who are seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer to join their Looked After Children service on a temporary basis until the end of December. This role is focused exclusively on Looked After Children and does not include chairing child protection conferences.

What You Can Expect:

• Supportive and established team with strong leadership
• Flexible working pattern with hybrid arrangements
• Opportunity to contribute to service improvement and quality assurance within the LAC service

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Chair Looked After Children (LAC) reviews in line with statutory requirements
• Monitor care plans to ensure they meet the needs and best interests of the child
• Challenge and escalate concerns where drift or delay is identified
• Work collaboratively with social workers, managers, and external partners to ensure effective care planning
• Provide professional oversight and contribute to continuous service development
• Ensure compliance with statutory duties and the IRO Handbook

Requirements:

• SWE Registration
• Social Work qualification
• Minimum of 3 years’ post-qualified experience within a local authority
• Substantial experience working with Looked After Children and families
• Proven ability to chair complex meetings and manage multi-agency dynamics
• In-depth understanding of Care Planning Regulations and the statutory duties of an IRO
   

If you’re an experienced practitioner looking to take on a short-term role with a strong focus on improving outcomes for Looked After Children, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact: Emily Cooper – 07745200325 | ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com.