Careers: Independent reviewing officer

Do all local authorities have independent reviewing officers (IROs)?
Yes. Some local authorities employed IROs before 2004, but the role has been a legal requirement since September 2004. Not all IROs are directly employed by local authorities; some are contracted. Following the Children and Young Persons Act 2008, the role was strengthened. The statutory duties of the IRO are to monitor the local authority’s performance of functions in relation to a looked-after child’s case; participate in any review of the child’s care; and make sure any ascertained wishes and feelings of the child concerning the case are given due consideration by the appropriate authority.

Responsibilities include challenging a local authority if the IRO feels they are not meeting the needs of a child, including the power to refer the authority to Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), which may then take the council to court on behalf of the child. The IRO produces an annual report on the corporate parenting of the local authority. Some local authorities combine the role of IRO and child protection co-ordinator.

What qualifications and skills are required for the role?
All IROs must be qualified social workers who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, and have at least five years post-qualifying experience. “This is a very specialist job and you have got to be a very experienced social worker – the equivalent status to a social work team manager,” says Carolann James, link manager in the IRO South East Regional Network. “You have to be a very broad general specialist, knowing about legislation, education, health, legal processes, attachment theory and more.”

In addition to a breadth of knowledge, an IRO must have the confidence to stand up to senior staff. “You have to be an authoritative, confident individual,” says James. “This usually comes from maturity and experience. You could have to stand up against a local authority.”

IROs must also have the ability to communicate effectively with children and their families, and with other professionals. “You need the skills to work directly with children you don’t have a relationship with, and maybe see only five times a year,” ?says James.

What are the benefits and challenges of the job?
“It is probably one of the most privileged jobs, because you are involved with young people and their cases but do not have direct case responsibility,” says James. “An IRO is in a considerable position of authority, without being a line manager.”

The role also has challenges because it comes with great responsibility. “You have a statutory responsibility, so if you do not do the job properly you could be taken to court,” James adds.

The National Association of Independent Reviewing Officers wrote to children’s minister Tim Loughton earlier this year arguing that councils are discouraging IROs from challenging local authority practice, sometimes through threats of disciplinary action. The body wants IROs involved in disputes to have access to independent arbitration and new statutory guidance to protect the independence of reviewing officers.

What are pay and conditions like?
Salaries vary but are generally in line with the salary of a social work team manager.

Meetings with children may take place in the evening or involve travel and an overnight stay. Part-time roles are available, although James says a local authority would struggle if it only employed part-time staff.

“There is some flexibility in hours but it would be hard to work in the school-term time only, for example,” says James.

What is the workload like?
Unusually, an IRO’s caseload is defined by statute, which recommends 50 to 70 children at one time. “It’s a difficult one though, as one IRO could have 25 cases that take more time than 120 others might,” points out James.

How competitive is the job market?
Highly competitive. “There will always be jobs, but most authorities have very stable secure groups,” says James. “Whenever I have recruited, the quality and quantity of the shortlist is tremendous.”


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