Sefton Council is seeking an experienced Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to join the Safeguarding Unit.

You will be part of a Good Local Authority delivering a key role planning and reviewing Cared for Children. This is a permanent role and the  post is based at Magdalen House, Bootle, Sefton.

There is free on-site parking and a minimum of at least 3 days per week required on site.

This role is exclusively an  Independent Reviewing officers post for cared for children—not a Child Protection Officer—and involves independently reviewing Looked After Children Reviews, Secure Accommodation Reviews, Child Sexual Exploitation meetings, and Missing from Care meetings in line with statutory guidance along with participating in other meetings/panels.

Key Responsibilities

• Chair cared for reviews for children, visiting them prior to their review  to encourage participation in their plan and that their voice is heard.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and regulatory frameworks
• Promote best outcomes through robust care planning and challenge where necessary.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to service improvement
• Improve and report on performance in respect of cared for Children
• You should have experience of Managing a team, improving performance.
• Minimum 3 years permanent post-qualification experience (must be clearly marked on application form)
• In-depth knowledge of Looked After Children legislation and statutory processes
• Registered with Social Work England
• Professional qualification in Social Work (Diploma, BA/BSc/MA, CQSW)

Closing Date - 14th December 2025

Interview Date - 18th December 2025

Equal Opportunities

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.