Strategic Manager for Safeguarding and Partnerships

What will you be doing?

In this role, you will lead and take full accountability for all aspects of service delivery, overseeing practice oversight and support functions to ensure continuous business performance while meeting improvement targets. You will also spearhead the preparation and action planning for Ofsted inspections, ensuring compliance with Department for Education (DfE) requirements.

As the lead for the Independent Reviewing Officer function, you will guarantee the highest quality of service delivery. Additionally, you will oversee the Child Protection Conference function, ensuring excellent service quality and maintaining strong partner engagement to meet statutory requirements. Finally, you will foster positive relationships across internal, commissioned, and partnership settings, ensuring a collaborative environment and incorporating the views of children and families into broader service delivery strategies and improvement activities.

For more information regarding this role please contact Lara Timms on Lara.Timms@NCTrust.co.uk.

About you

• You must have a BA in Social Work or Diploma in Social Work, CQSW or CSS, or other professional social work qualification recognised by Social Work England
• Extensive experience in a leadership role within child safeguarding or social care.
• In-depth knowledge of statutory functions such as Independent Reviewing, Child Protection Conferences, and Designated Officer services.
• Proven experience in service delivery and performance management, including strategic planning and resource management.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding practice and quality assurance frameworks including an understanding of CSPRs and RR.
• Experience in leading inspections and preparing action plans for regulatory outcomes (e.g., Ofsted).
• Excellent communication and partnership working skills, including engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
• A passion for driving service improvement and ensuring the best outcomes for children and families.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check

Our benefits

We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.

We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:

• 2 Day Induction Programme
• Relocation Costs of up to £8,000
• 2 days Signs of Safety training (social care colleagues)
• Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
• Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
• A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
• Local government Pension Scheme
• Heavily subsidised town centre car parking scheme
• Employee Discount Scheme
• 28 days’ annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years’ service
• Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Monthly quality supervision
• SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)

About us

At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them.  The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.

Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.

We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.

At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation.  We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.

Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.