Safeguarding and Independent Reviewing Officer

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Client: Denbighshire County Council
Service Area: Safeguarding and Reviewing Unit / Education and Children’s Services
Hours: 37 hours per week
Start Date: 09 November 2026
End Date: 16 May 2027
Duration: 27 weeks
Number of Roles: 1

Working Pattern

For discussion at interview.

Location

Churton Road
Rhyl
Denbighshire
LL18 3ND

Pay

PAYE Rate: £30.50 per hour

Job Overview

Denbighshire County Council is seeking an experienced Safeguarding and Independent Reviewing Officer to act as an independent chair at Child Protection meetings and statutory reviews.

The role will involve chairing complex meetings, scrutinising safeguarding procedures, reviewing Looked After Children plans, challenging practice where required, escalating concerns and ensuring the voice of the child is heard.

Important – Please Read Carefully

This is a qualified Social Work / Safeguarding / Independent Reviewing Officer role.

Candidates must hold a Social Work qualification and Social Care Wales registration.

Candidates should have strong statutory children’s services experience, including child protection, safeguarding, Looked After Children, multi-agency chairing and quality assurance.

Key Responsibilities

Chair Child Protection meetings
Chair statutory reviews
Chair Looked After Children reviews
Manage Child Protection Conferences
Scrutinise safeguarding plans
Review care and support plans
Challenge drift and delay
Escalate concerns
Ensure child-focused decisions
Ensure the child’s voice is heard
Ensure advocacy access
Maintain accurate minutes
Meet statutory timescales
Work with Service Managers
Work with social workers
Work with partner agencies
Provide safeguarding advice
Support best practice
Deliver safeguarding training
Respond to complaints
Deputise for Service Manager
Produce performance reports
Analyse case file audits
Chair Section 5 meetings
Chair Position of Trust meetings

Essential Experience & Skills

Social Work qualification
Social Care Wales registration
Statutory children’s services
Children and families experience
Looked After Children
Child Protection
Safeguarding
Independent reviewing
Team Manager / Practice Leader level experience
Multi-agency chairing
Wales safeguarding procedures
Children and family law
Quality assurance
Auditing
Performance reporting
Report writing
Accurate recording
Professional challenge
Conflict resolution
Ability to travel

Desirable

PQ qualification
Practice Teacher qualification
Welsh language fluency
CAFCASS liaison
All Wales IRO Group experience
Safeguarding Board experience
Training delivery
Complaints and appeals experience
Social worker mentoring
Senior manager deputising

Additional Information

Interview will be held online.

Target interview date is 02 November 2026.

Candidate submission deadline is 30 October 2026.

Maximum CVs per agency: 10.

Disclaimer

On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

Job Reference: OR118696

Screening Questions

Do you hold a professional Social Work qualification, such as Degree in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work or CQSW, and current Social Care Wales registration?
Do you have at least 5 years’ experience working in statutory children’s services, including work with children, families and Looked After Children?
Have you worked at Team Manager, Practice Leader, Independent Reviewing Officer or equivalent senior safeguarding/reviewing level?
Do you have proven experience chairing complex multi-agency meetings, Child Protection Conferences, statutory reviews or similar safeguarding meetings?
Can you evidence strong knowledge of Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, children’s safeguarding, Looked After Children processes and child care practice?
Do you have experience scrutinising, reviewing and challenging Care and Support Protection Plans or Looked After Care and Support Plans, including escalating concerns where required?
Do you have experience producing high-quality reports, accurate meeting minutes, audit findings, quarterly performance reports or quality assurance recommendations?
Are you able to travel across Denbighshire, out of county and other areas as required, including possible lone working, long-distance travel or out-of-hours working?
Can you complete Enhanced DBS, Social Care Wales registration checks, Social Work degree evidence, 3 years references/work history and a Health Declaration if offered?

Skills: Social Work, Social Care Wales, Safeguarding, Child Protection, Independent Reviewing Officer, Looked After Children, Multi Agency Working, Wales Safeguarding Procedures, Quality Assurance, Statutory Reviews