At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee care planning for children, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council, dedicated to making a difference for children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation package, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with clear career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in Children's Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 55915 £ per year.
Relocation package of up to £10,000 available.
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hereford and nationwide. With flexible and hybrid working opportunities
Hours: 37
Salary: HC11 £51,356 - £55,915 (plus market supplement of £5,000 per year)
Welcome payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance)
Closing date: 29/07/2026
Interview date: 03/08/2026
“Delivering Good quality services through Outstanding Leadership” - Ofsted
Make a Difference for Children in Herefordshire
Are you an experienced social work professional with a passion for championing children's rights, driving high-quality practice, and achieving the very best outcomes for children in care? Herefordshire Council is seeking an exceptional Safeguarding & Review Manager (Independent Reviewing Officer) to join our Safeguarding and Reviewing Service. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring children’s voices remain at the heart of decision-making while providing robust oversight, challenge and quality assurance across the care planning system. Working within a supportive and ambitious service, you will provide independent scrutiny of care plans, chair statutory reviews, and work collaboratively with children, families, carers, social workers and multi‑agency partners to secure permanence, stability and positive outcomes for children and young people.
The Role
As a Safeguarding & Review Manager (IRO), you will be responsible for overseeing the care planning and review process for children looked after by Herefordshire Council. You will chair statutory Child Looked After Reviews and Adoption Reviews to provide independent oversight to ensure plans are child-focused, outcome-driven and delivered to a high standard. You will be a visible leader within Children's Services, promoting excellence in practice, challenging delay and drift, and ensuring that children receive the support, protection and opportunities they deserve. The role requires a confident practitioner who can balance support and challenge, maintain independence of judgement, and build effective relationships across a wide range of professional networks.
Key Responsibilities
- Chair statutory Child Looked After Reviews and Adoption Reviews to ensure compliance with legislation, regulations and statutory guidance.
- Ensure children have clear, ambitious and achievable plans that promote safety, stability and permanence.
- Provide independent oversight and scrutiny of care planning and service delivery.
- Monitor progress against agreed actions and challenge where plans are not progressing effectively.
- Ensure children's wishes, feelings and lived experiences inform all decision-making.
- Work in partnership with children, families, carers and professionals to improve outcomes.
- Identify practice strengths and areas for development through quality assurance activity.
- Escalate concerns where children's needs are not being met or where service delivery falls below expected standards.
- Contribute to service improvement, practice development and organisational learning.
About You
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking an experienced, child-focused social work professional who can demonstrate strong leadership, professional curiosity and excellent analytical skills.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Significant experience within Children's Social Care.
- Experience as an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO); or Team Manager within Children's Services.
Extensive Knowledge Of:
- The IRO Handbook
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Child Protection Procedures
- Relevant childcare legislation and statutory guidance.
Strong understanding of child development, attachment, separation and loss.
Knowledge of Human Rights and Equality legislation.
Experience of working effectively within multi‑agency safeguarding environments.
Proven ability to challenge practice constructively and influence positive change.
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel both in and outside of County.
Key Skills And Attributes
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Confidence in managing complex and sensitive discussions.
- The ability to influence professionals at all levels.
- Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent chairing and facilitation abilities.
- Outstanding report writing and analytical skills.
- The ability to capture and represent children's views effectively.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills.
- A commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
We Offer
- Starting salary of HC11 £51,356- £55,915 (plus market supplement of £5,000 per year)
- Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
- Welcome payment £10,000 for experienced social workers joining our children’s teams.
- £2,000 retention payment (after 12 months, with annual review)
- Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
- Professional development: protected time and budget to support social workers develop themselves and their careers.
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Generous Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
- Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong. At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together. Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England’s most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference. It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care. If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.
Herefordshire Council Plan
The Council Plan Sets Out How We Will Make Our Contribution To Achieving a Better And More Successful Herefordshire.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team. If you’re shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks. Please note: the council is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas prospective candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK should not apply for these roles. We appreciate your interest in Herefordshire Council and would encourage you to consider other opportunities with us that may be open to sponsorship.
Safeguarding & Review Manager (Independent Reviewing Officer) in Hereford employer: Hoople Group
Hoople Group is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises compassion and high-quality care for both clients and staff. Located in the welcoming community of South Hereford, employees benefit from competitive salaries, a robust pension scheme, generous leave options, and continuous training opportunities, ensuring personal and professional growth in a fulfilling environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding & Review Manager (Independent Reviewing Officer) in Hereford
✨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 Hoople Group.
✨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 Hoople Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Hoople Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨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 Hoople Group 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 Safeguarding & Review Manager (Independent Reviewing Officer) in Hereford
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 Hoople Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hoople Group! 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 Hoople Group
✨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.
