At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure children in care have strong oversight and support their care planning.
- Company: Join Walsall Council, the only Outstanding local authority in the Black Country.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, flexible working, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: 5 years social work experience and strong knowledge of children's care practices.
The predicted salary is between 55662 - 59490 £ per year.
Salary Scale G12: £55,662 - £59,490 per annum
Fixed Term - 12 Months - Full time.
Children are at the heart of Walsall local authority. They receive support, help and services that reduce risks for them and meet their needs. (Ofsted, 2025)
Do you want to join our OUTSTANDING local authority? If so, we have a current opportunity for an experienced Child and Young Person Review Officer (IRO), working with and for the children of Walsall.
About the job
As a Child and Young Person Review Officer, you will play a vital role in ensuring that children and young people in care have strong, independent oversight of their care planning and review arrangements. You will chair statutory reviews, promote the voice and lived experience of children and young people, and work closely with social workers, carers, families and partner agencies to ensure care plans are purposeful, timely and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes. You will provide constructive challenge where needed and support high-quality planning for children and young people throughout their care journey. This includes ensuring that statutory responsibilities are met, that children’s views are heard and acted upon, and that plans remain responsive to their changing needs, relationships and aspirations. Your duties also include Quality Assurance to ensure children receive the best service possible. The service prides itself on high expectations of its members and what is expected for children. In return there are many opportunities for professional development and you will be joining an exceptionally supportive team.
Office location/address: Birchills Children Centre, Birchills Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 8NF
The role requires 5 years post qualifying experience, experience of working with Children and Families and Managerial or supervisory experience (required as per the Department for Children, Schools and Families – IRO Handbook Section 2.16- regulation 46). This can include supervising students and lesser experienced staff. This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
About you
We are looking for an experienced and confident practitioner with extensive social worker experience who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people in care. You will bring strong knowledge of children’s social care practice, care planning, safeguarding, permanence and the statutory review framework. You will be skilled in chairing complex meetings, analysing information, providing clear recommendations and offering professional challenge in a restorative and constructive way. You will be able to build effective relationships with children, young people, families, carers, practitioners and partners, while maintaining independence and a clear focus on the child’s best interests. Most importantly, you will share Walsall’s ambition for children and young people. You will be relational, child-centred and inclusive in your approach, with a strong commitment to equality, participation and continuous improvement.
Our offer
We are committed to creating the right conditions for you to do your best work. This includes manageable workloads, strong management support, essential paperwork only and the use of enabling technologies. Walsall offers a comprehensive training and development programme, which contributed to our OUTSTANDING Ofsted grading in May 2025. There is an impressive learning offer for practitioners and wide-ranging training that enables workers to continue developing their knowledge and confidence in practice. Wellbeing is at the heart of our work. We offer specialist clinical supervision, flexible working to support work-life balance, and access to employee assistance and therapeutic support when needed. We want social work in Walsall to be a career people choose to stay in.
Key dates
Closing date for applications: 23 August 2026
Interviews: 08 September
Informal discussion
If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Hannah Thompson, Principal Social Worker or Dhyal Samra, Principal Independent Reviewing Officer.
Hannah.Thompson@Walsall.gov.uk, Dhyal.Samra@walsall.gov.uk
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people and vulnerable adults. Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.
Child and Young Person Review Officer - Ref: CH05326 in Walsall employer: Walsall Community Network
Walsall Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and child-centred work environment for Residential Childcare Workers. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to safeguarding children's welfare, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. The council's 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating reflects its dedication to continuous improvement and the pride employees take in their roles, making it a rewarding place to work in the heart of Walsall.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child and Young Person Review Officer - Ref: CH05326 in Walsall
✨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 Walsall Community Network.
✨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 Walsall Community Network!
✨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 Walsall Community Network, 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 Walsall Community Network 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 Child and Young Person Review Officer - Ref: CH05326 in Walsall
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 Walsall Community Network:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Walsall Community Network! 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 Walsall Community Network
✨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.
