Glossary: Independent Reviewing Officer

Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs), sometimes called Reviewing Officers, are normally qualified social workers appointed by the local authority to chair Looked After Reviews and Adoption Reviews.

They must be qualified social workers and, whilst they can be employees of the local authority, they must not have line management responsibility for the child's case. Independent Reviewing Officers who chair Adoption Reviews must have relevant experience of adoption work.

(Definition provided by tri.x)