Job Title: Schools Safeguarding Adviser (Standards and Excellence) Job Grade: Band 6 Directorate: Schools, Children and Families Job Reference Number: P02322 The Role To be the lead on providing high quality support, information, advice, and guidance to schools on safeguarding and child protection. Provide professional support to senior school staff in the event of specific events. Work alongside schools, Children s Social Care, Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO) and other professionals to support schools on individual child protection and safeguarding matters. Contribute to raising school standards through developing self-evaluation of statutory responsibilities and undertaking school reviews of school responsibilities for safeguarding are fulfilled. Contribute to the work of the Local Children s Safeguarding Board. Job Purpose Lead on the raising of school standards in relation to safeguarding and child protection and ensure that statutory responsibilities are fulfilled. Ensure the best possible safeguarding arrangements are in place for children and young people in Essex Provide support and challenge to schools and governors by undertaking reviews as member of the Local Authority team and provide expert advice to senior school staff and other LA professionals to support the raising of school standards Be the primary source of contact for schools through the development and implementation of the provision of advice, guidance and support to Essex schools on child protection and safeguarding matters, signposting to the appropriate services. Work in partnership with other key professionals in responding to child protection or safeguarding issues, providing appropriate support and signposting.
Key Accountabilities Provide clear and knowledgeable advice, guidance and support to Essex schools and other education staff in often complex child protection and safeguarding matters signposting to the appropriate services. Undertake and report on the annual section 11 audit of schools on behalf of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Raise school standards through the development, implementation of a selfevaluation and contribute to Local Authority reviews as part of the Standards and Excellence Service on the safeguarding and child protection arrangements in Work in partnership with key professionals for example Children s Social Care, LADO, to provide professional support and advice to schools in relation to individual cases. Develop and implement a communication strategy to ensure all schools have access to information, resources and opportunities for learning and development. Develop and maintain a record of Designated Teachers for Child Protection in Contribute to the work of the Local Safeguarding Children Board as required Undertake internal case reviews on behalf of education and/or contribute to Serious Case Reviews as required. Develop and ensure sound mechanisms to record high quality records and information required to inform performance measurement. Ensure and maintain up to date knowledge and information on child protection and safeguarding matters. Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including Equality and Diversity standards. Represent the council both internally and externally.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Relevant degree or able to demonstrate an ability to study at a higher level A broad and in depth knowledge of child protection and safeguarding A broad and in depth knowledge of schools, school collaboration and education Evidence of working with schools at a senior level Experience of effective and successful working with other agencies involved in child protection and safeguarding Ability to offer clear and sound, knowledgeable advice, information and support in child protection and safeguarding Sound understanding of Working Together to Safeguard Children; Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) procedures and other safeguarding statutory guidance specifically related to education. Able to demonstrate an ability to offer support and/or challenge as required to senior professionals. Evidence of the ability to produce high quality reports VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS CUSTOMER FOCUSSED AND PROACTIVE Working together we proactively engage with our customers and listen to their needs in order to continuously improve our service. Develops and delivers effective systems that enable the delivery of a quality customer service Uses customer insight to create an environment where customer service is valued, recognized, and seen as a priority Proactively engage with our customers to deliver innovative and exceptional service. Make decisions that are mutually beneficial to the customer and the authority Use customer feedback to understand what good looks like to improve service delivery & measure performance Identify key measurable targets to continuously improve customer satisfaction ENABLING AND EMPOWERING Working together, we provide confidence and trust to support the delivery of the right services for our customers. Creates an environment that promotes self-development, openness and innovation
Delegate effectively in order to achieve greater empowerment and accountability within set clear parameters Create a culture through personal behaviours that promotes inclusion Demonstrates an understanding of the political environment and makes decisions / takes action appropriately Communicates openly with others to improve levels of understanding and engagement EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT Working together we will achieve our objectives in the best possible way, so that we deliver the results that make the biggest difference to the people we serve. Continually seeks new ways to introduce best practice in order to reduce duplication, bureaucracy and waste Develop and implement new ways of working to stretch performance, improve efficiency and deliver value for money Empowers others to innovate and challenge current practices Takes ownership for the implementation of corporate initiatives to help deliver change and continuous improvement Safeguarding Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Pre-Employment Checks appropriate to this Job Profile Essex County Council (ECC) is committed to ensuring all recruitment is undertaken fairly, effectively, safely and in accordance with legislation. The information below provides pre-employment screening guidance for candidates applying to this job at Essex County Council. Role Requirement: Working in a regulated activity with children / adults or in a specified place. Pre-Employment Check Self Declaration (Spent and unspent convictions) Definition A declaration of spent and unspent convictions must be completed by employees who work with vulnerable adults or children
Enhanced DBS and List Check (renewed every three years for SCF and ES&H staff only) References Medical Eligibility / Right to work in the UK Regulatory qualifications and professional registration (subject to role) SWIFT / Protocol (SCF - Children s Social Care Team only) The DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check will be sought by ECC For internal candidates a new check will be requested if the current check is two years old or more (all directorates) All posts defined as Regulated as outlined in the DBS Regulations will require: At least two employer references one reference will be requested prior to interview and should ideally be from your current/most recent employer Referees will be contacted by the hiring manager to verify the reference (Fostering & Adoption only) Reference history covering a minimum of five years employment A reference from the last employer where the post gave access to children or vulnerable adults Any gaps of 4 weeks or more will be explored by the manager at interview stage. Where requested by the manager additional character references will be taken up All new recruits and employees whose role changes significantly are required to complete a medical health declaration Proof is required and original documentation will be sought i.e. passport or full birth certificate Original qualification certificates and proof of registration with a professional body are required (if applicable) A check against the individuals name on the Social Care electronic database will be administered