At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead reviews for children in care, ensuring their voices are heard and advocating for their needs.
- Company: Join Torbay Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping services for the future.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work qualification and five years' experience with children and families.
The predicted salary is between 30700 - 57631 £ per year.
The full time equivalent salary of £54,307.00 to £57,631.00 includes an amount for a market supplement ranging from £7,126.00 to £7,362.00 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.
Are you an experienced Social Worker with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people in care? Torbay Council is seeking an enthusiastic and highly skilled Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join our Cared For Children Reviewing Service. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people receive the highest standards of care, support and advocacy whilst helping to drive continuous improvement across children's services.
As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will independently chair statutory reviews for children in care, monitor care planning, challenge poor practice where necessary, and ensure that children's voices remain central to decision-making processes.
About the Role
- Chair statutory reviews for children and young people in care and secure accommodation reviews.
- Monitor the quality and effectiveness of care planning and service delivery.
- Provide independent advice, challenge and oversight to promote best practice and positive outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with social care, education, health, police and other partner agencies.
- Undertake quality assurance activities and contribute to service development.
- Act as the Designated Lead Officer for allegations against teachers and other staff.
- Provide safeguarding advice and support to education providers in relation to Section 175 of the Education Act 2002.
About You
We are looking for a confident and experienced practitioner who can demonstrate:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- A minimum of five years' post-qualifying experience working with children and families.
- Significant experience of chairing complex multi-agency meetings.
- Strong understanding of children's legislation, safeguarding and statutory guidance.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills.
- Confidence to independently challenge practice and influence positive change.
- A commitment to delivering child-centred, relationship-based practice.
Why Join Torbay Council?
At Torbay Council, we are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for children, young people and families. We offer:
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and learning.
- The chance to influence practice and help shape services for children and young people.
- A role where your expertise can make a genuine difference every day.
This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
Please note that vacancies may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser: an informal chat please contact Lucy Reeves on. Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 8th September 2026. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills Essential:
- The ability to effectively chair complex meetings and to manage contributions by all participants ensuring clear outcomes.
- Ability to challenge poor practice effectively.
- Self-motivation, personal confidence, leadership and negotiation skills.
- The ability to make independent judgements that take into account the views of others but are not unduly influenced by these.
- Problem solving and analytical abilities.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge Essential:
- An understanding of child development and the effects of trauma, significant harm, loss and separation on children.
- An understanding of all relevant Child Care legislation and statutory guidance.
- An understanding of the national minimum standards for regulated provisions (adoption, fostering, residential care).
- An understanding of Section 175 of the 2002 Education Act and related documentation.
- Understanding of ‘Allegations of abuse against Teachers and other staff’ guidance and related documentation.
Experience & Qualifications Essential:
- A minimum of five years post qualifying experience of working with children.
- Social Work qualification as recognised by Social Work England.
- Current Social Work Registration.
- Experience of effectively chairing complex multi-agency meetings.
- Experience of legal proceedings and adoption.
Independent Reviewing Officer – Cared For Children - 25.90 hours in Torquay employer: Torbay Council
Torbay Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a focus on collaboration and community impact, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities and a chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with complex care needs. Located in the picturesque Torbay area, the council provides a unique environment that fosters both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Reviewing Officer – Cared For Children - 25.90 hours in Torquay
✨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 Torbay Council.
✨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 Torbay Council!
✨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 Torbay Council, 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 Torbay Council 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 – Cared For Children - 25.90 hours in Torquay
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 Torbay Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Torbay Council! 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 Torbay Council
✨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.
