Job Overview
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
This is an exciting opportunity to lead an innovative, system-wide pilot that will transform how children and young people with complex emotional, behavioural, and social needs are supported in South Staffordshire.
As Strategic Lead for the
Children of Concern Pathway
, you will bring together partners from health, social care, education, policing, and the voluntary sector to create a truly joined-up approach for our most vulnerable children. You will provide visible clinical leadership, ensure safe and effective practice, and shape the future of services by embedding learning from this pilot into long-term strategy.
We are looking for a resilient and dynamic leader who can think strategically, influence at a senior level, and remain grounded in the voices of children, young people and their families. This role offers the chance to make a tangible difference to the lives of children and shape the direction of multi-agency working across the region.
Main duties of the job
* Provide expert clinical oversight to Phase 1 of the Children of Concern pilot, ensuring trauma-informed, evidence-based, and safe practice.
* Lead the design and implementation of new referral pathways, governance frameworks, and escalation processes to support coordinated care.
* Convene and chair multi-agency meetings, bringing together health, education, social care, police, and VCSE partners to develop shared solutions.
* Develop and test a prototype "register" for children of concern, ensuring effective monitoring, early identification, and proactive intervention.
* Champion the voices of children, young people, and families, embedding co-production in all aspects of service design.
* Monitor, evaluate and report on pilot progress to ICS governance structures, using learning to shape Phase 2 development.
* Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and support to staff, promoting best practice and building system-wide capacity.
* Represent the pathway at senior forums, influencing commissioning and resource decisions to address service gaps.
* Ensure safeguarding compliance, robust risk management, and strong clinical governance throughout the pilot.
* Drive forward innovation, equality, and inclusion in service delivery, ensuring all children receive the support they need to thrive.
Working for our organisation
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Please review the attached job description and person specification for more details on the requirements of this role.
Person specification
Qualifications And Training
Essential criteria
* Professional qualification with current registration (e.g. Clinical/Counselling Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Family Therapist).
* Postgraduate qualification in leadership, systemic practice, or service development or demonstrate equivalent level of experience
* Evidence of continued professional development.
Desirable criteria
* Qualification in project management, quality improvement or research methods.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Substantial post-qualification experience with CYP presenting with complex and high-risk mental health and social needs.
* Proven experience of leading multi-agency working at a senior level.
* Experience of service or pathway development.
* Experience of providing consultation, supervision, and training to professionals from different backgrounds.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of leading regional or national pilot/service development work
* Experience of working with Dynamic Support Registers or similar frameworks.
* Experience of leading work linked to Dynamic Support Registers, Care Education & Treatment Reviews (CETRs), or similar frameworks.
Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
Essential criteria
* In-depth knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation and practice.
* Strong leadership, influencing, and negotiation skills across organisational boundaries.
* Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presentation) with diverse audiences including CYP, families, and senior professionals.
* Analytical ability to evaluate complex data and translate findings into service improvements.
* Ability to chair and lead multi-agency forums effectively.
* Excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory frameworks, and thresholds across health, social care, education and police.
* Ability to chair and lead multi-agency forums effectively. Excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory frameworks, and thresholds across health, social care, education and police. IT skills, including use of electronic records, data tracking, and Microsoft Office/analytical tools.
Desirable criteria
* Advanced skills in service evaluation, audit, and research.
* Knowledge of commissioning and funding mechanisms for CYP services.
* Understanding of quality improvement methodologies (e.g. PDSA cycles, LEAN, QI frameworks).
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
* Resilient, adaptable, and confident in managing high levels of complexity and uncertainty
* Politically astute with ability to navigate system-level dynamics.
* Committed to co-production and inclusion of CYP and families in service development.
* Flexible and adaptable in response to changing service needs and priorities.
* Values-driven and committed to reducing health inequalities.