Independent Reviewing Officer - Butte, MT

We adopt a 'name blind' approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring info ...

Job description

We adopt a 'name blind' approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.
Organisation
Kirklees

Directorate
Children & Families

Service Area
Resources, Improvement & Partnerships

Hours
37 - both jobs

Number of Jobs
2

Location(s)
Kirklees Child Protection Review Unit , Unit 5/6 Silver Court Industrial Estate, Silver St HD5 9AG + also Home working

Position type
Permanent, Temporary

Length of contract
Job 1 = Permanent : Job 2 = Up to 12 months from start date

Grade
Grade 13

Salary
£48,226 - £50,269

*Enhancements / additional payments details*
Market Rate Supplement of £4500 (reviewed annually)

Advert Wording
At Kirklees, people are at the centre of everything we do. To provide the best possible services for children, we need a skilled, supportive and diverse team. In return, we offer a wide range of staff benefits to support your wellbeing both at work and at home.

About The Role
We are looking to recruit to 2 Full time roles for
Independent Reviewing Officer's (IRO)
to join the existing team of IROs for Children Looked After

• Permanent Role
• Temporary role for 12 months (covering Maternity leave)

Role
As an
Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO),
you will work within the Child Protection and Review Unit. You will hold a caseload of children who are either Looked After or subject to Child Protection Plans. Your role is to:

• Chair statutory reviews and other relevant meetings.
• Ensure plans for children are meaningful, reflect their needs, and take account of their wishes and feelings.
• Check that national guidance, legislation, and Kirklees practice standards are being followed.
• Provide independent oversight of each child's case, separate from the team that manages it.
• Contribute to quality assurance across the service.

We follow a restorative practice approach, working with families, social care teams, and partner agencies to support better outcomes for children.

We Are Looking For
We are looking for a skilled, confident and compassionate Social Work professional who can bring strong safeguarding knowledge, critical thinking, and high‑quality practice to our service. To be successful in this role, you will need:

Essential Qualifications & Professional Requirements

• A Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post‑qualifying experience in statutory childcare work, including direct experience in child protection.
• A thorough understanding of the legal framework relating to looked‑after children, care leavers, and safeguarding.
• Knowledge of what good practice looks like in working with children and families to safeguard and promote welfare.

Skills & Experience

• Experience of managing staff, including providing professional supervision and/or support.
• The confidence to work constructively with senior managers, offering appropriate challenge and critical reflection.
• Strong skills in chairing meetings effectively and ensuring all voices are heard.
• Proven ability to analyse complex cases and use learning from practice to influence service development and policy.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS and barred list check. A criminal conviction will not automatically exclude candidates and will be considered fairly as part of the recruitment process.
• Ability to travel to different locations as part of the role. A full and valid driving licence and access to a car is normally required, although reasonable adjustments will be considered for disabled applicants.

Working Arrangements
This role involves hybrid working. You will work both from home and from our offices, depending on the needs of the service and the children you support.

You will also visit children where they live, including foster homes or residential settings, and you may chair meetings in various locations, sometimes outside the Kirklees area.

Review meetings may take place in person or online, depending on the needs of the child and their family.

What We Offer
We want you to have everything you need to do your best work. You will receive:

• A full and supportive induction programme
• Regular supervision
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Access to peer support groups, learning sessions, and practice discussions

We are a well‑established and respected service with strong working relationships across Children's Social Care and partner organisations.

For more information about this role, please read the attached Job Profile.

Interview Dates: 20/03/26
Tom Clift is the manager for this role, please contact them on for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.
This job is subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level, please refer to the Job Description/Profile. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

We know there's a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email:or phone: and ask for 'Recruitment'.

If you are internal and want to apply for this job as a secondment you must be a substantive employee of the Council with over 6 months continuous service and have successfully completed your probation period.

Applications for secondments will only be accepted if approved by your manager, you will be asked to confirm on your application form that you have the relevant permission. If you are refused permission to apply for a secondment, please contact HR Recruitment to register the refusal.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Closing date
08 March 2026, 11:55 PM

Important Information