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An experienced and dedicated Children’s Independent Reviewing Officer is required to support positive outcomes for children and young people who are looked after or subject to care planning arrangements. Working across South Tyneside, you will provide independent oversight of care plans, ensuring that children’s rights, views and wishes remain central to all decisions affecting them.

You will chair statutory reviews within required timescales, ensuring that plans are progressing effectively and that actions are clearly identified, allocated and followed up. The role will involve scrutinising the quality and impact of care planning, challenging drift and delay, and escalating concerns where appropriate. You will work closely with social workers, children’s services, foster carers, residential providers, education, health professionals, legal representatives and other partner agencies to promote stability, safeguarding and permanence.

A key part of the role will be ensuring that children and young people are meaningfully involved in their reviews and understand their plans. You will promote participation, advocacy and effective communication, including where children have complex needs or require additional support to express their views. You will also monitor whether agreed services and support are being delivered and take appropriate action when arrangements are not meeting a child’s needs.

Applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and current professional registration, with substantial post-qualifying experience in children’s social care. Previous experience as an Independent Reviewing Officer, conference chair, or in a related quality assurance or safeguarding role is highly desirable. You will have strong knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and care planning requirements, together with the confidence to provide constructive challenge and make sound, evidence-based decisions.

Excellent communication, organisation and report-writing skills are essential, along with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently. You must demonstrate a child-centred approach, professional integrity and a commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding. A current enhanced DBS check and the ability to travel to meetings and placements across the area will be required.