Independent Reviewing and Child Protection Officer in Liverpool

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We have ambitious targets and we need people who are driven and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is important, and this role offers an opportunity to make a difference by transforming the way we work and placing residents at the heart of everything we do. Working at Liverpool City Council provides a chance to contribute to your community and positively impact residents’ lives. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services and communicate with residents. We care about the best outcomes for local people through our public services.

Our Practice Model – “Our City, Our Children, Together” – reflects our commitment to working collaboratively. It is a co-produced, shared vision across people who access and deliver our services, representing our values, relationships, and belief that working together creates the best outcomes for children, young people, and their networks.

Responsibilities

• As an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) / Child Protection Officer (CPO), confidently and independently chair all Child Protection Conferences, Strategy meetings, Looked After Children and Secure Accommodation Reviews to ensure statutory requirements are met.
• Ensure the efficient production and updating of child protection plans, co-ordinating investigations, and quality assuring and auditing all plans to minimise risks and achieve best practice.
• Demonstrate a strong children’s social care background with a proven track record in care planning and specialist knowledge in child protection procedures, practice and legislation, with prior experience at Team Manager level.
• Build and maintain strong professional working relationships across all multi-agencies through effective communication and engagement, challenging respectfully where appropriate and implementing plans progressively and creatively.
• Provide clear decision making to ensure all children and young people are the focus, that their voices are heard and considered, and that they remain central to their plan and decision making.
• Demonstrate drive and passion to continually improve outcomes and make a positive difference for children, young people and their families.
• Comply with DBS disclosure requirements and maintain up-to-date registration with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Strong children’s social care background with proven experience in care planning and specialist knowledge in child protection procedures, practice and legislation.
• Ability to build professional relationships across multi-agencies, communicate effectively, and challenge where appropriate while implementing plans.
• Enhanced Disclosure with the DBS and up-to-date registration with Social Work England.
• Eligibility to work in the UK and ability to meet Home Office visa sponsorship criteria if required.

What we offer

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) with option to purchase additional days.
• Agile working (role dependent) with a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme.
• Progression opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning.
• Health and Wellbeing support including Employee Assistance Programme; Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes; Drive Time salary sacrifice car lease scheme; family-friendly policies with enhanced leave; discounted gym memberships; Employee Volunteering Scheme; Medicash.

Next steps and contact

• Closing date: midnight on Sunday 21 June 2026
• Shortlisting date: Monday 22 June 2026
• Interview date: Wednesday 1 July 2026
• Interview type: face-to-face

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Submitting your application in advance is advised.

For further information or informal discussion, contact Emma McLean at emma.mclean@liverpool.gov.uk or Harriet Cadman at harriet.cadman@liverpool.gov.uk.

Equal Opportunities and additional information

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria.

If you require reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, please contact recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

All communications regarding your application will be sent via Tribepad; please check email (including Spam/Junk) and ensure your profile is complete with work and education history. Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages; sponsorship considerations are described in the eligibility criteria.

This post is not legal advice; consult independent legal advice as needed.