Independent Reviewing Officer

Project overview

Independent Reviewing Officer (LAC & Pathway Reviews)

Are you an experienced IRO or senior manager looking for a highly flexible, part-time quality assurance role with zero generic casework?

Leicester City Council is recruiting a part-time Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) to focus purely on Looked After Children (LAC) and Pathway reviews. Offering the maximum regional MOU rate of £45.00 per hour, this post provides exceptional flexibility, allowing you to choose your 3 working days each week.

• Location: Leicester, East Midlands
• Authority: Leicester City Council (Children's Social Care)
• Pay Rate: £45.00 per hour (Umbrella
• East Midlands MOU Rate)
• Contract: Part-Time Locum Assignment (22.5 hours per week / 3 days)
• Working Pattern: Hybrid (1 day in office; approx. 60% virtual / 40% face-to-face review split)

Responsibilities

Working Pattern & Hybrid Setup:

What We Are Looking For:

Why Apply?

Apply Today!

Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.

Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.

experience

Children services

skills

be able to manage challenging situations

• Statutory LAC & Pathway Reviews: Act as an independent Chairperson for statutory Looked After Children reviews and Pathway plan reviews for care leavers.
• Child-Centred Practice: Ensure the child's voice drives care planning. Conduct initial meetings face-to-face, then adapt subsequent reviews based on the young person's preferences.
• Care Plan Oversight: Review and monitor statutory care plans to ensure timeliness, legal compliance, and high quality of practice across the local authority.
• Constructive Challenge: Offer independent oversight, critical reflection, and appropriate challenge to social work teams and managers to safeguard children's outcomes.
• Hours: 22.5 hours per week spread across 3 days (flexible choice of working days).
• Office Base: 1 day per week in the office (Wednesday morning encouraged for team cohesion).
• Meeting Structure: Approximately 60% virtual meetings and 40% face-to-face visits. Home working allowed for admin and virtual review sessions.
• Qualifications & SWE: Recognised Social Work qualification with active Social Work England (SWE) registration.
• Senior Experience: Proven experience as an IRO, CP Chair, Team Manager, or Senior Advanced Practitioner in statutory Children's Social Care.
• Legislative Expertise: Deep knowledge of Care Planning Regulations, LAC statutory frameworks, and care-leaver legislation.
• 💰 Top Regional Rate: Earn £45.00/hr under the East Midlands MOU.
• 🗓️ Flexible 3-Day Week: Choose the 3 working days that best suit your schedule.
• 💻 High Virtual Review Ratio: Enjoy 60% virtual reviews combined with home working for admin tasks.

Requirements

university

education

BA in social work

Project details

• Start: flexible
• Remote: hybrid
• Location: Leicester, Leicestershire, GB
• Rate: 45-45 EUR/h