LSCP Strategic Safeguarding Lead

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

It's an exciting time to join us - Lewisham is a wave 2 Pathfinder authority and is leading the way on national reforms to social work practice through the Families First for Children programme.

INTRODUCTION

We have a fantastic opportunity in the Lewisham Safeguarding Children’s Partnership as we are recruiting to the post of Strategic Safeguarding Lead.

Every Local Authority Area is required to establish local arrangements for safeguarding children and young people. The purpose of the local arrangements is to safeguard and promote the welfare of Lewisham children and young people, and work together to identify and respond to their needs. The responsibility for these arrangements is shared between the London Borough of Lewisham, the Metropolitan Police Service and the NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (Lewisham).

What’s the role?

The Strategic Safeguarding lead role is an influential and exciting role which supports the development of high quality safeguarding practice in partner agencies across the borough.

You will be advising the LSCP Executive, and chairs and members of sub groups on high level policy issues and recommendations. The role also involves leading on the development and implementation of the LSCP Learning and Development programme, and overseeing the implementation of the partnership quality assurance activities.

We are seeking someone with either a recognised professional qualification in children’s services and/or who has extensive experience delivering multi-agency services, strategies and policy.

About You

You will have:

• 2 years as a manager working in a team providing services to children and young people
• Your work experience will include children and young people where there have been concerns about significant harm.
• You will understand thresholds regarding need and risk and how to respond to them as a practitioner and manager in your field of expertise.
• You will be familiar with developing policies and strategies, comfortable working with a range of professionals, and preparing and sharing complex information

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a solution-focussed individual with extensive knowledge of issues faced by children, young people and families.

If you want to work in a thriving borough and our vision connects with your professional values, then we are interested in hearing from you. We are looking for people to join our team who:

• value the importance of communication and seeking feedback
• can inspire and motivate those they work with, manage and lead
• are committed to developing their skills and expertise to deliver an excellent service
• are professionally curious and value thinking slowly and calmly in a balanced way
• work inclusively, collaboratively with others recognising their strengths
• take responsibility and make a positive contribution by focusing on solutions
• are transparent, are appreciative in enquiry, reflect and learn.

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House in Catford SE6. There are 2 local train stations 3-5 minutes’ walk from the office, and the train journey from London Bridge is approximately 15 minutes. There are also numerous bus routes that stop right by the office.

We operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis

Creating an Inclusive Lewisham

A core value of Lewisham Council is to 'draw on the diversity of our communities to create a more inclusive Lewisham'. We believe that freedom from discrimination and equality of opportunity are fundamental rights, and that each person should be valued regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or age. Social inclusion lies at the heart of everything we do as a Council in our roles as an employer, a provider of services and a community leader.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.

Your Application

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook- please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

Special conditions

• The post holder must have a social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England
• The job is subject to a DBS check (Enhanced)

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Vicky.rogers@Lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£63,816 - £66,084 (SCP 48 -50) PO8

All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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