Children's Independent Reviewing Officer - 12 months fixed term

The pay for this role will be £53,460 (pro rata for part time colleagues)

We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward-thinking team.

You can also find out more about the new terms and conditions that we are introducing on our careers site on, 'More than just a job' brochure

Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Children’s Services are looking to recruit a fixed term Independent Reviewing Officer for a period of 12 months, with the possibility that this could be extended further if needed.

We are looking for an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer to support our children in care who live outside of the BCP area. The successful candidate will undertake in person meetings and visits within a range of areas outside of the BCP area, particularly in the midlands and northern areas of the UK. Applications from candidates in this part of the UK are preferable. The purpose of this role is to reduce IRO travel time, enabling greater capacity for direct engagement with children and young people, alongside increased focus on casework quality assurance and other oversight responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be required to hold a full driving licence and have access to their own vehicle. Mileage expenses will be reimbursed for travel undertaken for journeys from home to meetings and visits with children and young people.

You will work from home unless undertaking visits or meetings which will all be in person. Occasional attendance at training and development days held in a BCP office or other BCP venue will be required. You will also be required to attend your office base in Bournemouth as part of your induction and to meet your manager and other members of the team.

We are proud to have achieved a GOOD Ofsted rating in December 2024 and have continued on a positive improvement journey throughout 2025/26. Children are at the heart of everything we do, and our relationship-based practice helps us to make positive and lasting changes in their lives and the lives of their families.

If you would like to become part of a team who work collaboratively with children and young people to help shape our service and influence practice, this team is for you. We are looking for experienced IROs who strive to make sure that the voice of the child is central in all work undertaken, as well as ensuring safe, timely and individual needs led plans are in place for children.

The role involves providing scrutiny, support, and challenge to the work of social work teams and making sure that care and protection plans are progressed in a timescale that meets the child’s needs. You will need to have good communication skills and be able to engage productively with families and other professionals, as well as being able to robustly manage child in care meetings. This IRO post will involve predominately working with children in care, but there would be a requirement, should demand arise, to undertake chairing child protection conferences virtually via Teams. You will be part of a team that is dedicated and committed to achieving good outcomes for children and providing an inclusive service.

Allocations are introduced on a phased basis during the induction period to allow time for induction training, system learning and the development of knowledge and confidence within the role. This approach helps ensure that new staff are well supported and able to build their caseload gradually while embedding learning into practice.

A meeting with your manager will take place on a weekly basis during the induction period to review progress and learning. Staff development, wellbeing and work life balance is also a key focus for the management team who provide a supportive, nurturing and learning environment.

Candidates will need to be confident in chairing meetings, facilitating professional discussion and working effectively with partner agencies, as well as having good IT skills. Above all, your will be ambitious for the children and young people you support, demonstrating tenacity in progressing plans, advocating for children's needs, and ensuring their voices are heard and acted upon to achieve the best possible outcomes.

• Full induction & Practice Fundamentals support
• Clear career progression & excellent learning opportunities
• Manageable caseloads & regular supervision
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible working arrangements in refurbished offices
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Relocation Scheme
• Staff network groups

All applicants need to be social work qualified and registered with Social Work England. Successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

For an informal discussion please contact: Service Manager Laura Jones at Laura.Jones@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or 01202 126865 or Service Manager James Cannon at James.Cannon@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or 01202 093488.

Shortlisting 27 July 2026.

The interview date will be 3 August 2026 in person at a BCP office.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

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Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page)

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DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.