Independent Reviewing Officers

In simple terms an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO):

“Makes sure that everyone does what they are meant to, makes sure the child gets their say and make sure things gets done"

The role is defined in law by The Children Act 1989 and the IRO handbook.

The role of the IRO in CLA reviews

  • If a Local Authority is looking after a child, it must appoint an IRO for that child's case (section 25 A (1), Children Act 1989).
  • An Independent Reviewing Officer will be allocated for the child within 3 days of the IRO Service being informed.
  • At no time, apart from in the first five working days, should a looked after child be without a named IRO.
  • The child will be informed who their IRO is via an introductory letter, or you might receive this letter if the child is very young.
  • Sibling groups, whether or not placed together, should have the same IRO. Except where a conflict of interest between siblings makes this inappropriate.
  • Where a parent and their child are both looked after, the child must have a different IRO.
  • The IRO should meet the child before the first review and then before all reviews to seek their views.

CLA reviews

The purpose of the Looked After Children's Review is to:

  • Ensure that appropriate plans are in place to safeguard and promote the overall welfare of the Looked After Child in the most effective way and achieve permanence for him/her within a timescale that meets his or her needs;
  • To monitor the progress of the plans and ensure they are being progressed effectively;
  • To make decisions, as necessary, for amendments to those plans to reflect any change in knowledge and/or circumstances;

It is important that decisions made at Children's Reviews are implemented and responsibility for actions clearly defined. The IRO will let you know what decisions that they have made and when they expect them to be completed by. There might be tasks for you to complete alongside the social worker and other professionals. A copy of the report will be sent to you following the meeting.

The Child should always have their voice heard in the CLA review, it is their meeting about their life and their future. This can be done a number of ways, including direct work by the social worker or IRO, use of the Mind of my Own app or by the young person coming and chairing their own meeting!

In-between reviews

You might not see the IRO in between the reviews but they will be busy reviewing the child's records to ensure that progress is being made in their care plan. They might call you to discuss any progress or ask for updates from yourself or other professionals.

IROs will challenge where care plans are not progressing, this can be directed and escalated to any management level. IROs can then escalate to CAFCASS and request the case is returned to court if the matters are not progressing. IROs can seek independent legal advice to challenge care plans.

You might hear IRO's and Social workers discuss IRO challenge, Problem resolutions and Management alerts. These are all ways the IRO will record their challenge to the local authority if the right actions are not being taken for a child in your care.