The values which children absorb will be the values of the adult society around them.

This is chance to take organisational-level responsibility for keeping children safe. Our work spans a range of issues – disability, refugees, early years and more. This is a position that will allow you to take a strategic overview on Safeguarding and Child Protection, helping us to fulfil our commitment to see the world from the child’s perspective.

At The Children’s Society, we aim to make childhood better. The issue of safeguarding is increasingly high profile and it’s a major focal point for us. To help make sure we continue to lead in this area, we are hiring into important, high profile positions.

Safeguarding children is a crucial part of our work. You’ll lead our thinking, championing our commitment to safe practices and diversity. Encouraging and supporting your colleagues to take action to manage risk, your impact will ripple through the organisation. And as a team, the impact we can make will help create a society in which our children absorb values that are loving, safe and positive.

You’ll need a professional qualification in a childcare related field, such as Social Work, Youth & Community Work or Education. With solid, proven experience as a manager, you’ll be ready to lead and inspire. Experience of child protection is crucial, as is a successful track record of investigating child protection allegations and complaints.

Closing date: 17th March 2010.

Job Description 

Title:

Head of Safeguarding

Location:

Location flexible to include a mix of office-based and home working

Reward Band:

SJN £39,789 to £45,316 plus London Weighting

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Reporting to:

Business Development Director – Children & Young People Division

Job Purpose:

• To provide a corporate strategic overview on Safeguarding and Child Protection for the organisation
• To be the organisational lead for safeguarding concerns and any subsequent investigations, including allegations of historical abuse
• To champion the organisation’s commitments to safe practice and diversity, assisting all to safeguard children and manage risk

Key Activities:

1. To help develop and lead the corporate strategy for safeguarding and child protection
2. To coordinate all and where appropriate lead internal safeguarding investigations, as required by the Chief Executive and the Director – Children & Young People
3. To work closely with all Divisions to ensure that proper and due consideration is given to the safety and protection of children and young people with whom we work
4. To provide advice and information to Senior Managers on risk management related to safeguarding and child protection and to advise staff across all Divisions on safeguarding issues as appropriate.
5. To develop and revise the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy, reporting processes and formats as and when required
6. To commission and lead training as appropriate on safeguarding issues
7. To ensure that organisational policy, procedures and practice are informed by changes to legislation and research
8. To disseminate information related to safeguarding and child protection, from both internal and external sources to promote exemplary practice and quality assurance
9. To provide an Annual Report of safeguarding activity within The Children’s Society to the Society Management Team and Trustees
10. To co-ordinate the Corporate Safeguarding Group and to implement actions from such meetings as appropriate
11. To have lead responsibility for historical abuse investigations and for the issue of child migration, managing any potential risk presented to The Children's Society, arising from allegations of historical abuse. This will involve:

• Working together with the police and other agencies, where appropriate, in the investigation of criminal offences concerning current and former employees where historical abuse allegations have been made.
• Keeping detailed, confidential records of all enquiries, referrals and actions taken related to historical abuse
• Immediately advising senior managers of any issue arising from historical abuse investigations, which may compromise the reputation of The Children's Society

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Qualifications

• A professional qualification in a child care related field such as Social Work, Youth & Community Work or Education

Experience

• Substantial experience in a supervisory or management position in a related field
• Substantial experience in a post involving child protection either as a senior practitioner or as a manager
• Experience of investigating child protection allegations or complaints

Work Base Knowledge

• A thorough understanding of professional standards and legislation surrounding issues of safeguarding and child protection

Skills

• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal & written communication
• Excellent collaborative working and influencing skills
• IT skills in word processing, spreadsheets and email. The Children’s Society uses Microsoft Office applications

Core Competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

Communicating with Others

• Communicate effectively with others on complex and sensitive issues
• Express ideas lucidly, present arguments logically, write in an easy to follow and well laid out manner

Building & Maintaining Partnerships

• Develop positive, committed partnerships internally and externally
• Take responsibility for delivering outcomes that meet the needs of the organisation

Providing Service to Others

• Lead the development of a culture where safeguarding is the number one priority
• Provide the highest standards of support to others in order to keep children & young people safe

Leading Others

• Lead a diverse range of internal stakeholders in the development of safe practice, ensuring their engagement, commitment and delivery

Agreeing & Meeting Targets

• Set challenging goals and targets in your area of responsibility
• Balance and manage conflicting priorities

Managing Yourself

• Relish challenging and demanding assignments
• Manage your own emotions and cope well with uncertainty and ambiguity

Innovation

• Enable the development of a culture of challenge and continuous improvement, leading change programmes as appropriate

Managing Resources

• Lead the business planning for your area of responsibility
• Monitor & evaluate progress and manage effective performance

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Frequent travel across England, visiting regions, clusters of work, support services and fundraising activities.
• Anti-social hours, which arise from travel and the geographic spread of The Children’s Society’s work.
• Attendance when required at external forums in order to ensure our external analysis on quality assurance is up to date and our strategy informed by key events and developments.

(Please note: if you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of a disability or family circumstances the appointing manager will discuss it with you in order to consider reasonable adjustments to the job or working conditions)

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and The Society you will require:

• The ability to cope with demanding situations and tight deadlines
• The resilience to deal with sensitive and at times distressing information
• Flexibility in your response to individuals and situations
• An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to The Children’s Society’s commitment to keeping children and young people safef) A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice