Independent Reviewing Officer
| Posting date: | 26 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29.83 to £39.61 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | Pay Rates: £29.83 PAYE / £39.61 Umbrella |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 13 December 2025 |
| Location: | Bexley, Kent |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Neway International Ltd |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | OR18326 |
Summary
Neway International are seeking an Independent Reviewing Officer to join our client London Borough of Bexley.
Location: Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7AT
Hours: 36 per week (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Start Date: 15/12/2025 Duration: 18 weeks initially
Pay Rates: £29.83 PAYE / £39.61 Umbrella
About the Client
The London Borough of Bexley is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Within Children’s Services, the Professional Standards & Quality Assurance / Safeguarding Service plays a vital role in ensuring that looked after children receive the highest standards of care and support.
The Role
The Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) will chair statutory review meetings for looked after children in line with the IRO Handbook Regulations (2010). The post-holder will hold a caseload of children, ensuring their voices are central to the review process, and constructively challenge actions that do not deliver positive outcomes. The role requires strong partnership working across social work teams, health, education, and other agencies, with a focus on quality assurance and safeguarding.
Key Responsibilities
Chair statutory looked after children reviews, ensuring compliance with regulations and timescales.
Monitor care plans and ensure the child’s wishes and feelings are fully considered.
Meet children privately before each review and observe placements to assess suitability.
Provide professional advice and support to social work teams and partner agencies.
Contribute to audits of care plans and themed reviews, facilitating training and consultation.
Produce clear written records of decisions and recommendations within statutory timescales.
Actively contribute to service improvement, quality assurance, and safeguarding initiatives.
Liaise with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure a joined-up approach to children’s welfare.
Keep abreast of research and developments in safeguarding and looked after children practice.
Candidate Requirements
Qualified Social Worker with registration and eligibility to practice in the UK.
Detailed knowledge of statutory regulations, safeguarding procedures, and the IRO Handbook.
Experience chairing reviews and managing complex care planning for looked after children.
Strong communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills across multi-agency settings.
Ability to challenge practice constructively and ensure positive outcomes for children.
Proven ability to produce accurate records and reports within statutory deadlines.
Commitment to promoting inclusive, child-centred practice and safeguarding policies.
This is a hybrid role, with reviews expected to take place at placement sites, foster carers’ homes, and the Civic Offices.
Location: Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7AT
Hours: 36 per week (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Start Date: 15/12/2025 Duration: 18 weeks initially
Pay Rates: £29.83 PAYE / £39.61 Umbrella
About the Client
The London Borough of Bexley is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Within Children’s Services, the Professional Standards & Quality Assurance / Safeguarding Service plays a vital role in ensuring that looked after children receive the highest standards of care and support.
The Role
The Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) will chair statutory review meetings for looked after children in line with the IRO Handbook Regulations (2010). The post-holder will hold a caseload of children, ensuring their voices are central to the review process, and constructively challenge actions that do not deliver positive outcomes. The role requires strong partnership working across social work teams, health, education, and other agencies, with a focus on quality assurance and safeguarding.
Key Responsibilities
Chair statutory looked after children reviews, ensuring compliance with regulations and timescales.
Monitor care plans and ensure the child’s wishes and feelings are fully considered.
Meet children privately before each review and observe placements to assess suitability.
Provide professional advice and support to social work teams and partner agencies.
Contribute to audits of care plans and themed reviews, facilitating training and consultation.
Produce clear written records of decisions and recommendations within statutory timescales.
Actively contribute to service improvement, quality assurance, and safeguarding initiatives.
Liaise with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure a joined-up approach to children’s welfare.
Keep abreast of research and developments in safeguarding and looked after children practice.
Candidate Requirements
Qualified Social Worker with registration and eligibility to practice in the UK.
Detailed knowledge of statutory regulations, safeguarding procedures, and the IRO Handbook.
Experience chairing reviews and managing complex care planning for looked after children.
Strong communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills across multi-agency settings.
Ability to challenge practice constructively and ensure positive outcomes for children.
Proven ability to produce accurate records and reports within statutory deadlines.
Commitment to promoting inclusive, child-centred practice and safeguarding policies.
This is a hybrid role, with reviews expected to take place at placement sites, foster carers’ homes, and the Civic Offices.