Social Services - Who is an Independent Reviewing Officer?

Here at Emery Johnson Astills we recognise that you may not understand the role of everyone that is involved with your family. We appreciate that it is important for you to know who is conducting meetings that you attend and what that person’s role is.

Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) conduct regular reviews of children in the care of the Local Authority. An IROs main duties are to monitor the Local Authority’s performance, to participate in the child’s review and to ensure that the child’s wishes and feelings are fully considered.

An IRO is a qualified social worker, and they are employed by the Local Authority but their involvement with you is independent. An IRO does not manage the case, supervise the social worker or devise the child’s care plan.

Reviews that an IRO conduct include Looked After Child Reviews (this is where a child is in the care of the Local Authority) and Child Protection Conferences. Here at Emery Johnson Astills we have a specialist care department comprising of experts in child care law who can advise, assist and represent you throughout your involvement with Social Services. We will assess you for free legal advice through Legal Aid as in many cases, free legal advice can be obtained and it may be that we can attend with you to Looked After Child Reviews and/or Child Protection Conferences.

If Social Services are involved with your family and you would like to speak to one of our specialist solicitors within the care department at Emery Johnson Astills, please do not hesitate to call us on 0116 255 4855.