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- Tasks: Lead vital reviews for children's care and protection plans, ensuring their needs are met.
- Company: Join Lancashire County Council, a supportive and impactful organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and 5+ years in statutory childcare settings required.
- Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 51356 £ per year.
Salary £46,142 - £51,356 Per Annum (Pro Rata) | Fixed Term, Until October 2026 | Part Time, 33.3 Hours Per Week | Central & East Lancashire
International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.
About The Role
We are looking to recruit an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join our dedicated Safeguarding, Inspection and Audit Service. This is a specialist role within Lancashire that operates independently from operational teams and carries a high level of professional autonomy. As an IRO, you will chair statutory Looked After Children’s Reviews, Child Protection Conferences and Specialist Safeguarding Meetings. Your core responsibility is to ensure that every child’s care plan or child protection plan accurately reflects their needs, while providing robust challenge where practice falls short. This temporary post is for 33.3 hours per week and will cover both East and Central Lancashire. IROs are aligned to a locality, and caseloads have been significantly reduced in accordance with the IRO Handbook. This ensures that IROs have the capacity to build meaningful relationships with children, young people, staff and partner agencies. This position is part time; please note the salary quoted is full time equivalent and the salary received will be paid on a pro-rata basis.
About You
To be a successful Independent Reviewing Officer, you must hold:
- A Social Work qualification, and valid Social Work England Registration
- At least 5 years post-qualification experience in a statutory childcare setting
- Experience of complex case work & risk management, as well as working collaboratively with other agencies.
For a full list of the requirements & specifications of the role, please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification linked below.
Why Join Us
By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you with the opportunity to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring – Lancashire County Council really is the place where you can have the career you’ve always wanted. In return for your passion and expertise, we also offer a generous benefits package which includes:
- A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and optional Additional Voluntary Contributions.
- A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which rises with length of service.
Independent Reviewing Officer | Safeguarding, Inspection & Audit | Central & East Lancashire in Burnley employer: Lancashire County Council
Contact Detail:
Lancashire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer | Safeguarding, Inspection & Audit | Central & East Lancashire in Burnley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the safeguarding and social work sectors. Attend local events or webinars to meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to safeguarding and child protection. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, highlight your post-qualification experience and any complex case work you've handled. Real-life examples will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Reviewing Officer | Safeguarding, Inspection & Audit | Central & East Lancashire in Burnley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Independent Reviewing Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your qualifications; share specific examples of your work in statutory childcare settings. We want to see how your 5+ years of experience and complex case management skills make you a great fit for our team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your points are easy to understand. This will help us see your strengths without getting lost in the details.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancashire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the role of an Independent Reviewing Officer. Brush up on your knowledge of statutory Looked After Children’s Reviews and Child Protection Conferences. Familiarise yourself with the IRO Handbook and be ready to discuss how you would ensure that care plans reflect children's needs.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to talk about your post-qualification experience in a statutory childcare setting. Think of specific examples where you've managed complex cases or collaborated with other agencies. This will demonstrate your capability and give the interviewers confidence in your skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges faced by IROs in the area, and how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the position is right for you.
✨Be Yourself
While professionalism is key, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. The role requires building meaningful relationships, so showing your authentic self can help the interviewers see how you might connect with children, young people, and colleagues.
