Head of Safeguarding and Child Protection

Education Authority - Northern Ireland

Job Location:

Antrim - UK

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 11 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question how and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria where relevant.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and whichmay also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.You should therefore make it clear on your application form how and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor	Essential Criteria	Method of Assessment
Qualifications/ Experience	Hold a professional social work qualification and be registered or provide evidence of their application to register with NISCC. Have a minimum of five years experience working in a senior leadership role. Have experience of business planning service development informed by evidence and data analytics and the management of financial resources within a senior leadership role.	Shortlisting by Application Form
Knowledge	Sound professional knowledge of current safeguarding and child protection practice opportunities and challenges within the Education Sector including legislation regulations guidance and inter-agency arrangements.	Shortlisting by Application Form
Skills/ Abilities	Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional development.	Shortlisting by Application Form
Other	The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.	Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EAs Game Changing People Model.

Factor

Essential Criteria

Method of Assessment

Skills/
Abilities

In line with EAs Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:

Excellent leadership and management skills to build a high performing team.

Achievement against challenging targets through the engagement of teamsand solving problems through informed decision making under pressure in sensitive circumstances.

Ability to champion EA strategic priorities support the delivery of change and drive service improvement

Strong communicator with proven skills to engage across a range of stakeholders demonstrating successful impact.

Interview

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EAs ethos and values. You will find information about our Valueshere.

Interview

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor

Desirable Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Have taken a lead role in the introduction of a new service or implementation of a significant service change to achieve better outcomes.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as regulated activity.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves regulated activity the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that youWILLbe expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed atNI Director the Department of Justice.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes please clickhere.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority click here

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Job Description

Responsible to: Assistant Director of Pupil Well-being and Protection

Responsible for: Providing strategic leadership in relation to child and adult protection safeguarding and inclusion; Developing and leading all aspects of assigned services including the Child Protection Support Service (CPSS) and Inter-cultural Education Service (IES) (under Review); Lead Social Worker.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this job is to ensure that the Education Authority (EA) fulfils legal professional and inter-agency obligations relating to child and adult safeguarding and the inclusion of pupils through the development updating and implementation of safeguarding protection and inclusion policy procedures and practice standards across the education sector including schools EOTAS and youth settings. The post holder will manage and lead a series of assigned services including the Child Protection Support Service and Inter-cultural Education Service (under review) taking a rights-based approach to effective service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Service Leadership/Management

Lead and manage assigned well-being and protection services including CPSS and IES ensuring continuous service improvement high quality service delivery and assurance

Act as the EAs Lead Social Worker ensure that social workers employed by the EA are compliant with Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) standards including supervision training practice and documentation

Promote rights welfare privacy and consent in all safeguarding protection and inclusion functions

Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that allegations of child and adult abuse and neglect are dealt with in adherence to legislation EA policy procedures and due process

Support multi-disciplinary / inter-agency assessments and action planning to ensure organizational and professional learning in relation to safeguarding protection and inclusion; including Case Management Reviews Individual Agency Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews

Develop staff through professional development that enhances skillsets capacity and competence.

Work collaboratively to promote trauma informed approaches

Monitor and demonstrate service impact and pupil outcomes using Outcomes Based Accountability Framework

Facilitate the EA Safeguarding in Education Forum (education sector)

Manage staff budgets and resources equitably and effectively

Strategic Planning & Policy Influence

Ensure EA meets child and adult safeguarding and protection and inclusion statutory obligations

Lead policy development and ensure up-to-date safeguarding protection and inclusion policies

Ensure that the EA training framework for child and adult protection safeguarding and inclusion is responsive to the needs of the education sector

Translate strategic objectives into directorate division and service plans and targets

Promote participation of stakeholders in service planning

Represent EA on SBNI multi-agency fora and other strategic planning and policy groups as required

Ensure regular reporting and assurances to the Directorate Management Team Corporate Leadership team and EA Board members and Committees on child and adult safeguarding protection and inclusion including emerging issues trends and demand

Corporate Leadership & Management

Promote EA values and contribute to a positive corporate culture

Provide expert and informed social work opinion and influence

Ensure CPSS and IES services align with EA policies and governance including audit and risk management

Collaborate across directorates to address matters relating to safeguarding protection and inclusion

Deliver high-quality reports to EA leadership and stakeholders as required

Manage staff performance wellbeing supervision and development

Lead disciplinary capability and complaints procedures as needed

Engage with key stakeholders including schools trade unions and public representatives

Service Development & Quality Assurance

Develop and deliver specialist services to promote educational access

Promote reflective practice

Review and update policies and procedures for regional service delivery

Facilitate inter-agency work and share best practices and lessons learned

Keep designated safeguarding professionals in schools informed and engaged

Implement ICT systems for monitoring and reporting

Promote efficiency and evaluate resource use

Identify and secure funding for innovative projects contributing to business cases as required

Training & Workforce Development

Oversee child and adult safeguarding protection and inclusion training programme resources and online content

Lead recruitment and retention of professional and administrative staff

Ensure induction supervision and professional development meet regulatory and best practice standards

Facilitate appropriate regulated post-qualifying training

Governance & Financial Management

Ensure robust governance and financial controls

Monitor budgets and ensure value for money

Evaluate financial implications of service models

Act as budget holder and authorised signatory

Manage physical resources effectively

Partnership Working

Build partnerships with DE schools health and social care trusts and other agencies.

Ensure regular consultation with service users including children and parents

Influence partners to improve service effectiveness

Ensure information relating to safeguarding protection and inclusion service information is easily accessible on the EA website and support EA communication strategies

Other Duties

Comply with EA policies and undertake additional duties as required

Promote equality and good relations in line with Section 75 of the NI Act (1998)

Required Experience:

Director

PERSON SPECIFICATIONNOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question how and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and de...