Independent Reviewing Officer
Birmingham Children's Trust is expanding its Independent Reviewing Officer Service and we are recruiting two additional Independent Reviewing Officers as part of our continued investment in improving outcomes for children and young people in care. These new posts reflect the growth of the service and our ambition to strengthen quality assurance, enhance participation, and ensure children remain at the centre of everything we do.
This is an exciting time to join us. The IRO Service is on a significant journey of transformation, focused on strengthening our influence, improving the quality and impact of reviews, increasing children's participation, and driving better outcomes for children and young people across Birmingham.
We are looking for passionate, experienced and highly skilled social work professionals who are committed to championing children's rights, providing effective independent oversight, and working collaboratively to challenge and improve practice.
As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will play a vital role in ensuring that children in care have plans that are ambitious, effective and responsive to their needs. You will chair statutory Child in Care Reviews, provide independent challenge where necessary, promote the voice of the child, and work with partners across the Trust and wider system to drive positive change.
You will be joining a supportive and forward-thinking team that is committed to continuous improvement, innovation and excellence in practice.
We have been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection. This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.
This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham so you must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.
About you:
We are seeking experienced practitioners who:•Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and are registered with Social Work England.
•Have at least five years' post-qualifying experience in children's social work.
•Have experience of supervising and supporting social workers.
•Are passionate about children's rights, participation and achieving positive outcomes.
•Can confidently chair complex multi-agency meetings and provide constructive challenge.
•Demonstrate excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
•Are committed to high standards of practice and continuous professional development. Additional Information
As part of the application process, please submit your CV and a supporting statement clearly demonstrating your skills and experience.
Interview Details Face to Face interviews will take place Tuesday 4 August 2026.
At Birmingham Children's Trust, we are committed to ensuring children and young people have a voice in shaping our workforce. As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will take part in both a formal interview and a Young People's Panel on the same day, providing an opportunity to hear directly from children and young people and demonstrate your commitment to participation and child-centred practice.
Please contact Neil Beaumont for further information about this role via Neil.Beaumont@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk
Onboarding Process: Please note as part of our onboarding process, the successful candidate will be required undergo a series of background checks with Experian including Experian DBS, Experian Right to Work, and Digital ID verification. These are essential pre-employment requirements.
Our Benefits:
•A generous annual leave package of 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service and 35 days after 10 years of service.
•Free on-site parking at our offices on One Avenue Road (Aston) and Lifford House (Stirchley). We also provide onsite electric car charging ports which are free to use!
•Full access to our amazing internal employee benefits scheme including, Occupational Health services, Rewards Schemes, Benefits discounts (including the Blue Light Card), Health & Fitness and Personal Wellbeing support and much more!
•Flexible and hybrid working policy - we are well adapted to a hybrid model of working which includes a combination of time spent in the office and at home and we offer a variety of working patterns.
•Pension Scheme - You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme in line with the local government pension scheme.
•A growing and ambitious service with clear plans for the future.
•Opportunity to shape and influence service transformation.
•Strong management support and reflective supervision.
•Excellent learning and development opportunities.
Help Us Create Better Futures
If you are an experienced social worker who wants to be part of an expanding service with a clear vision, strong values and a commitment to continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you.
Join us and help shape the next chapter of the Independent Reviewing Officer Service at Birmingham Children's Trust.
Benefits
Help us to change children and young people’s lives!
At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.
Why Join Us?
- Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
- Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
- Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
- Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.
Our Values
We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.
We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.
Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.
Safeguarding
At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.
The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.
We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.
Please note that we reserve the right to close the job early should we reach the required number of applications, therefore please ensure you submit your application and supporting statement early to avoid any disappointment.Salary range
- £54,495 - £64,811 per year