Independent Reviewing Officer Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Most Independent Reviewing Officer interviews in the UK follow a pattern, and knowing it beats guessing. Below are eight questions from our bank of 12, each with a note on what the interviewer is really after.

Eight Independent Reviewing Officer interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What are the statutory functions of an Independent Reviewing Officer, and how do they differ from those of a social worker?

Why they ask: To check understanding of the IRO's distinct oversight role for children in care.

2. How do you prepare for and chair a looked after child review, and what are the statutory timescales?

Why they ask: To test practical command of the review process.

3. Tell me about a time you challenged a care plan or a decision about a child in care.

Why they ask: To test courage, professional challenge and independence.

4. During your pre-review meeting, a 12-year-old tells you privately that she is unhappy in her placement and wants to move, but her social worker doesn't know. What do you do?

Why they ask: To test safeguarding instincts and handling of a child's confidence.

5. What is the dispute resolution process, and when would you use it?

Why they ask: To check knowledge of the IRO's main escalation tool.

6. What permanence options exist for a child in care, and how do you test whether the plan is right?

Why they ask: To test knowledge of permanence planning and ability to challenge drift.

7. Tell me about a time you made sure a child's voice shaped an important decision.

Why they ask: To test child-centred practice and advocacy.

8. Why do you want to be an IRO, and how do you maintain independence while working within a local authority?

Why they ask: To check motivation and understanding of the tension in the role.

A sample answer to question 1

What are the statutory functions of an Independent Reviewing Officer, and how do they differ from those of a social worker?

The IRO's role comes from the Children Act 1989 and is set out in the IRO Handbook and the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010. I chair the child's statutory reviews, but my duty is wider: to monitor how the local authority carries out its functions as a corporate parent, to make sure the care plan reflects the child's current needs and that their wishes and feelings are given proper weight. I check that actions are progressed between reviews, and I can escalate through the dispute resolution process if the authority is failing the child, ultimately referring to CAFCASS. The social worker is responsible for assessing needs, developing and delivering the plan day to day, whereas I am independent of the line management of that case, and I scrutinise the plan. I should build a relationship with the child, ideally meeting them before each review, so that I can represent their views. I am a safeguard, not a case manager.

Common mistake to avoid: Describing yourself as a second social worker; forgetting the duty to challenge

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 12 questions are on the Independent Reviewing Officer interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.