At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure children in care have strong oversight and promote their voices in care planning.
- Company: Join Walsall Council, an OUTSTANDING local authority dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, comprehensive training, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values continuous improvement and staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in care.
- Qualifications: 5 years of social work experience and strong knowledge of children's care practices.
The predicted salary is between 55662 - 59490 £ per year.
Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Child and Young Person Review Officer (IRO) to work with and for the children of Walsall. Children and families are at the heart of our practice in Walsall as identified within our recent Ofsted inspection.
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
- 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
- Provide constructive challenge where needed and support high-quality planning for children and young people throughout their care journey
- Ensure 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
- Conduct 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.
The role requires 5 years post-qualifying experience, experience of working with Children and Families, and Managerial or supervisory experience. This can include supervising students and lesser experienced staff.
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
- 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.
Benefits include 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, offering specialist clinical supervision, flexible working to support work-life balance, and access to employee assistance and therapeutic support when needed.
Key dates:
- Closing date for applications: 23 August 2026
- Interviews: 08 September
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. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people and vulnerable adults.
Child and Young Person Review Officer - Ref: CH05326 in Walsall employer: WMJobs
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to make a tangible impact in the public sector. With a strong focus on professional development and growth opportunities, WMCA supports its staff in navigating the complexities of local governance while fostering a dynamic environment that values innovation and adaptability. Located in the heart of the West Midlands, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to a range of resources aimed at enhancing their career journey.
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 WMJobs.
✨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 WMJobs!
✨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 WMJobs, 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 WMJobs 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 WMJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WMJobs! 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 WMJobs
✨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.
