At a Glance
- Tasks: Monitor and improve care plans for children in care, ensuring timely and effective decision-making.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to making a difference in a diverse community.
- Benefits: Generous leave, excellent pension, health support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in child welfare, strong advocacy skills, and a recognised Social Work qualification.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with passionate professionals who are delivering change in a culturally diverse city. You can make a real difference to families and children and help deliver the service Bradford families should receive. We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
The role purpose is to provide independent monitoring and scrutiny of the care plans for children in care, ensuring appropriate and timely decision‑making, the timely progression of plans and the provision of high‑quality care. IROs work with children, families, social workers and other partners to achieve the best outcomes for children in care, bringing challenge and support to the work of social workers, managers and partners as required to raise the standard of care planning for all children in care. The role requires quality assurance and, when required, appropriate challenge of the work of the Trust and other agencies to drive improvements in practice. The role also seeks to manage social work resources efficiently and effectively, prioritising need and working cooperatively within the Trust.
Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care. Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure each Child in Care review takes place in accordance with statutory timescales, regulations, guidance and departmental procedures, including reviewing short break arrangements for children with disabilities and/or complex needs.
- Support and challenge practitioners and managers within the council and external agencies to ensure the effectiveness of the review and care planning process and prevent drift or delay in achieving permanence for all children in care in Bradford.
- Produce timely outcome‑focused recommendations and reports after each review, clearly setting out how the care plan is being implemented, the actions required to meet the child’s needs and the care plan, ensuring that specified timescales are adhered to.
- Ensure that all reviews are child‑focused and inclusive to promote best outcomes, representing the voice of the child in reviews even when children or young people do not attend. This includes access to representation and advocacy services.
- Ensure that children and young people are made aware of complaints procedures and how to access support if they are not happy with the service they are receiving.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Experience and a practical understanding of assessment and appropriate planning in relation to children and families.
- Ability to plan, prioritise and manage a workload while maintaining a high standard of quality and working under time constraints.
- Representing and acting as an advocate for children and young people, demonstrating negotiation skills to ensure required outcomes are met.
- Providing supervision and or guidance, especially around effectively managing risks to children.
- Extensive experience working with children in situations where safeguarding is an issue.
- Recognised Social Work Qualification.
- Registered with Social Work England.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave – 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays.
- Excellent Local Government pension.
- Family‑friendly policies and enhanced parental leave.
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling.
- Professional development and career progression opportunities.
- National Living Wage employee.
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact:
- Sally Cradock, Service Manager – sally.cradock@bradfordcft.org.uk or 07890 418360
- Imran Cheema, Team Manager – imran.cheema@bradfordcft.org.uk or 07582100342
- Chris Reeves, Team Manager – chris.reeves@bradfordcft.org.uk or 07582101887
Closing Date: 19.7.26
Interviews: 28.7.26 & 29.7.26
There will also be a Children’s Panel either on 28.7.27 or 29.7.26.
Independent Reviewing Officer in Bradford employer: Bradford Children and Families Trust
Bradford Children and Families Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families within a vibrant, culturally diverse community. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture rooted in restorative practices, employees are empowered to thrive while ensuring high-quality care for those they serve. Join us in fostering trust and respect as we work collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for children in care.
Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer in Bradford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bradford Children and Families Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bradford Children and Families Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bradford Children and Families Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bradford Children and Families Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bradford Children and Families Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bradford Children and Families Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
