Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer (FIRO) - 05827

We are look for a Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer (FIRO) to manage the independent fostering review process, including chairing robust foster care reviews and providing independent challenge and quality assurance. You will strengthen practice, promote meaningful participation and partnership working, and help ensure children and young people in West Berkshire’s care live in safe, supportive homes where they can achieve their aspirations.

The role

You will review West Berkshire’s foster parents in line with legislation, national standards and council procedures, ensuring children receive high-quality care. The role involves chairing inclusive reviews, producing timely reports for decision-makers, identifying improvements and agreeing action plans, maintaining accurate records, advising and training colleagues, and contributing to policy, audit and service development across Children’s Services.

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications, skills and attributes:

• We are looking for a Social Work England-registered social worker with significant post-qualifying and supervisory or management experience, ideally gained within fostering and children’s services.
• You will bring expert knowledge of relevant legislation, confident chairing and risk-assessment skills, strong report writing and communication, and the ability to provide constructive challenge, manage conflict and build effective partnerships.
• You should be organised, flexible, committed to continuous improvement and able to engage children, families, carers and professionals in decision-making.

West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as:

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-21.00
• Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career.

Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: nicola.robertson@westberks.gov.uk

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply

Please now complete a short online application form. You will then be able to upload your CV.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

West Berkshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share these values. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. This role involves regulated activity with children. As such, appointment is subject to anEnhanced DBS check with the relevant Barred List(s).

In this post you will be required tomaintain continuous registration with the DBS Update Service for the duration of your employment.

This post is a Sensitive Post for the purpose of the Local Government Housing Act 1989, and the post-holder is therefore restricted from engaging in any prescribed political activities. In summary, this means that you are prohibited from holding political office and from involvement in any political activity within or outside the workplace. Full details of the restrictions can be found in the Council’s Policy and Guidance on Politically Restricted Posts.

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AI in Applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.