Independent Reviewing Officer (Children's Social Work)
| Posting date: | 14 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35.62 to £47.50 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | PAYE: £35.62 per hour Limited/Umbrella: £47.50 per hour |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 May 2026 |
| Location: | Newport, Isle Of Wight |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Neway International Ltd |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | OR99456 |
Summary
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) – Children & Families
Client: Isle of Wight Council
Location: County Hall, High Street, Newport, PO30 1UD
Rate: £35.62 PAYE / £47.50 Umbrella
Hours: 37 per week
Start: 4 May 2026
Duration: Ongoing
Work Pattern: Mix of days (confirmed at interview)
About the Role
Isle of Wight Council is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer to support Children’s Services. You’ll chair Looked After Children (LAC) reviews and Child Protection Conferences, ensuring plans are child‑centred, outcome‑focused and delivered within statutory timescales. The role also supports the continued embedding of the Signs of Safety model across the service.
Key Responsibilities
Chair LAC reviews and Child Protection Conferences
Implement and embed Signs of Safety practice within conferencing
Ensure children’s voices are heard and reflected in all plans
Provide specialist consultation, quality assurance and professional challenge
Monitor compliance with statutory timescales and review frameworks
Build strong relationships with partners to improve outcomes
Raise safeguarding alerts, practice concerns and conflict‑resolution issues where required
Summarise decisions, actions and recommendations clearly at the end of meetings
Undertake Regulation 33 visits to Beaulieu
Contribute to duty systems to ensure timely organisation of conferences
Provide feedback to social workers and managers to support practice improvement
Audit cases and support continuous quality assurance
What You’ll Need
Qualified Social Worker with post‑qualifying experience
Strong background in LAC reviews and Child Protection Conferences
Knowledge of Signs of Safety, safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance
Ability to challenge practice appropriately and maintain professional independence
Excellent communication, chairing and decision‑making skills
Ability to work collaboratively with multi‑agency partners
Commitment to equality, fairness and child‑centred practice
Client: Isle of Wight Council
Location: County Hall, High Street, Newport, PO30 1UD
Rate: £35.62 PAYE / £47.50 Umbrella
Hours: 37 per week
Start: 4 May 2026
Duration: Ongoing
Work Pattern: Mix of days (confirmed at interview)
About the Role
Isle of Wight Council is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer to support Children’s Services. You’ll chair Looked After Children (LAC) reviews and Child Protection Conferences, ensuring plans are child‑centred, outcome‑focused and delivered within statutory timescales. The role also supports the continued embedding of the Signs of Safety model across the service.
Key Responsibilities
Chair LAC reviews and Child Protection Conferences
Implement and embed Signs of Safety practice within conferencing
Ensure children’s voices are heard and reflected in all plans
Provide specialist consultation, quality assurance and professional challenge
Monitor compliance with statutory timescales and review frameworks
Build strong relationships with partners to improve outcomes
Raise safeguarding alerts, practice concerns and conflict‑resolution issues where required
Summarise decisions, actions and recommendations clearly at the end of meetings
Undertake Regulation 33 visits to Beaulieu
Contribute to duty systems to ensure timely organisation of conferences
Provide feedback to social workers and managers to support practice improvement
Audit cases and support continuous quality assurance
What You’ll Need
Qualified Social Worker with post‑qualifying experience
Strong background in LAC reviews and Child Protection Conferences
Knowledge of Signs of Safety, safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance
Ability to challenge practice appropriately and maintain professional independence
Excellent communication, chairing and decision‑making skills
Ability to work collaboratively with multi‑agency partners
Commitment to equality, fairness and child‑centred practice