Independent Reviewing Officer – Quality Assurance Team

Job Description

Job Title: Independent Reviewing Officer
Specialism: Children’s Services
Location: Birmingham, UK (Remote Working)
Salary: £37.99 Per Hour
Type: Ongoing / Full Time

We are seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join a dedicated Quality Assurance service supporting Children’s Services in Birmingham. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced social work professional to provide independent oversight of care planning, champion the voices of children and young people, and ensure statutory responsibilities are met. Working remotely, you will play a key role in promoting high-quality practice, improving outcomes, and driving continuous service improvement through effective challenge and quality assurance.

Perks and Benefits

• Remote Working: Work remotely while supporting children and young people across Birmingham.
• Meaningful Role: Make a significant impact by promoting the rights, welfare, and long-term outcomes of children in care.
• Supportive Quality Assurance Team: Join a collaborative service focused on continuous improvement and best practice.
• Professional Development: Access opportunities to further develop your leadership, quality assurance, and practice expertise.
• Varied and Influential Work: Contribute to service improvement through independent oversight, audits, and professional challenge.

What You Will Do

• Chair statutory Child in Care Reviews and ensure all statutory requirements are met.
• Provide independent oversight of care planning arrangements to promote positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Ensure care plans are child-centred, outcome-focused, and support permanence, stability, and wellbeing.
• Promote the active participation of children and young people, ensuring their views, wishes, and feelings inform decision-making.
• Monitor progress against agreed care plans and challenge unnecessary delay or ineffective practice.
• Provide constructive professional challenge where statutory responsibilities or expected standards are not being met.
• Undertake quality assurance activities, including case evaluations, management reviews, and thematic audits.
• Build effective partnerships with social workers, managers, and partner agencies to improve service delivery.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality records, recommendations, and review documentation.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice throughout all aspects of your work.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Social Work or equivalent recognised qualification.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualification experience within Children’s Social Care.
• Strong knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice relating to children in care and care planning.
• Experience chairing complex multi-agency meetings and influencing professional practice.
• Experience providing independent challenge and resolving professional disagreements effectively.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, auditing, and performance monitoring processes.
• Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining professional integrity and objectivity.
• Commitment to promoting children’s rights and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.

Why Birmingham?

Birmingham offers an opportunity to join a forward-thinking Quality Assurance service committed to maintaining the highest standards of care planning and safeguarding practice. This remote role provides the flexibility to work from home while making a meaningful contribution to improving outcomes for children in care.

Working with Ardent Social

At Ardent Social, we are passionate about connecting experienced social work professionals with outstanding opportunities across the UK. We provide a transparent, supportive, and professional recruitment experience, helping you secure roles that align with your skills, experience, and career aspirations.

Apply today to join the Quality Assurance Team in Birmingham and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people.