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

This is brand new role we’ve created to further sharpen our focus on safeguarding children. Encouraging and advising colleagues on managing risk, you will work alongside our Head of Safeguarding, to ensure that the whole organisation safeguards children effectively.

Our work as an organisation spans a range of issues that affect children – disability, refugees, early years and more. While your work will centre around safeguarding, your activities will be varied – from working on confidential, sensitive investigations to developing and revising policy. You’ll help create and deliver training that will empower your colleagues to act in best practice, supporting them as they go.

You’ll keep our database current and reflective of policy, making the safeguarding team’s insight accessible to everyone. Encouraging 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.

With impressive experience of working with children and young people, you’ll also have a record of working with policy and practice development in a safeguarding context. You’ll need to be a qualified social worker with a knowledge of the voluntary sector and the collaborations we form. And of course, you’ll need the approachability and clarity of communication to effectively guide your colleagues.

Closing date: 17th March 2010.

Job Description

Title:

Safe Practice Manager

Location:

London

Reward Band:

SGN: 4 £30,320 to £34,528 plus London Weighting

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Reporting to:

Head of Safeguarding

Job Purpose:

• To provide support and advice about safeguarding issues across the Children & Young People Division.
• To lead internal investigations related to safeguarding matters as directed by the Head of Safeguarding.
• To promote high standards of safe practice across all Divisions.

Key Activities:

1. To provide advice and guidance on The Children's Society’s safeguarding policy, procedures and practice to managers, other staff and volunteers.
2. To assist the Head of Safeguarding in developing, maintaining and revising policies related to the protection of children and young people.
3. At the direction of the Head of Safeguarding to undertake sensitive, confidential investigations on behalf of the Director – Children & Young People and/or the Chief Executive.
4. To maintain ongoing liaison with the Director and Deputy Director Children & Young People Operations, including reviewing management visits and other management information.
5. To assist the Head of Safeguarding in working with Corporate training to review, develop & deliver safeguarding training.
6. To maintain ongoing liaison with the Director and Deputy Director Children & Young People Business. Development, as well as the Training & Consultancy Unit Manager, in order to support the development of new work.
7. To provide individual support to managers who have been identified as requiring safeguarding professional development.
8. To ensure that the Safeguarding pages on the intranet are kept up to date.
9. To ensure that the Safeguarding Database is accurately and expeditiously maintained and to assist in the development of other relevant systems.
10. To assist the Head of Safeguarding with the preparation of the Annual Child Protection Report.
11. To deputise for the Head of Safeguarding as required.

Attainments:

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

Experience

• Substantial experience of direct work with vulnerable children and young people
• Experience of investigating safeguarding concerns
• Experience of policy and/or practice development in relation to safeguarding practice

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker Work based knowledge
• Knowledge of legislation, policy and guidance concerning the safeguarding of children and young people, and the promotion of their welfare
• Sound working knowledge of risk assessment and management relating to the safety of children and young people
• The role of the voluntary sector in the context of integrated working in a multi-disciplinary environment

Skills

• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
• IT skills, primarily in word processing and email. The Children’s Society uses Microsoft Office applications
• The ability to promote the needs and requirements of children and young people to enhance their safety
• Evidence gathering and analytical skills

Core Competencies:

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

Providing Service to Others

• Promote a culture throughout The Children’s Society, that the safeguarding of children and young people is of paramount importance
• Contribute to the development of safeguarding service standards across the Children & Young People Directorate and play an active part in achieving them

Communicating with Others

• Communicate effectively with others, internally and externally, concerning the development of safe practice

Leading Others

• Lead by example, giving clear advice and support to staff and volunteers in relation to safeguarding children and young peopleInnovation
• Provide constructive challenge and support to the development of safe practice, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement

Building and Maintaining Partnerships

• Work collaboratively, developing the organisation’s ability to keep children safe
• Encourages openness, cross boundary and collaborative working

Agreeing and Meeting Targets

• Create measures of achievement for your role and take responsibility for realising them

Managing Yourself

• Develop straightforward, practical solutions to complex problems and seek feedback about the outcomes of action taken

Managing Resources

• Brings in best practice from within and beyond The Children’s Society and manages projects and information effectively

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Regular travel on a national basis
• Occasional overnight stays away from home
• Anti-social hours arising from the need to travel and to stay away from home overnight

(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 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 Society’s commitment to keeping children and young people safe
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice