Independent Reviewing Officer - 37 Hours

Application Deadline: 19 April 2026

Department: Childrens Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £54,314 - £57,402 / year

Description

The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of £7133 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.

Job Description & Person Specification >

Do you have a passion for ensuring that children and young people have a voice, and their wishes and views are reflected in their plan? Are you committed to ensuring plans have a positive and timely impact on our children and young people? As a Child In Need IRO in Torbay, you will have a key role in improving outcomes and ensuring the safety and welfare of our children and young people through effective challenge overseeing children on a child in need plan or a supervision order.

You will have the ability to chair effective child-led reviews, be able build and maintain highly effective working relationships with children, young people and their families and a range of professionals in order to help drive progress for our children. You will need good technical knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and care planning regulations.

This position is for a fixed term of 12 months from the start date.

This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/independent-reviewing-officer/

For an informal chat please contact Lucy Reeves on 07500 097230 or lucy.reeves@torbay.gov.uk.

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 27th April 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

Essential:

Significant post qualifying experience of working with children in need.
The capacity to relate to children, young people, their parents, carers and care staff and professional staff at all levels.
Direct work with children and young people.
Ability to challenge poor practice effectively.
The ability to effectively chair complex meetings and to manage contributions by all participants ensuring clear outcomes.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:

An understanding of child development and the effects of trauma, significant harm, loss and separation on children.
An understanding of all relevant Child Care legislation and statutory guidance.
An understanding of the national minimum standards for regulated provisions (adoption, fostering, residential care).
IT literate.
Ability to demonstrate independence from LA case management.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

Social Work Degree as recognised by Social Work England.
Registration as a Social Worker with Social Work England.
Evidence of relevant professional development.
Significant post qualifying experience.
Supervision and management of social work staff.

Skills

Knowledge

Experience & Qualifications

About Torbay Council