Job Description
3 Month Contract With A Local Authority
Purpose of the Role
The Independent Child Protection Chair provides leadership, oversight, and independent scrutiny of child protection processes. The role ensures that children at risk are protected, safeguarding practices meet statutory requirements, and multi-agency collaboration is effective, transparent, and accountable.
Key Responsibilities
* Chair child protection conferences, strategy meetings, and review meetings independently and objectively.
* Ensure that all child protection processes comply with statutory guidance, local safeguarding policies, and national standards.
* Monitor and assess risk to children, ensuring that decisions are child-centered and evidence-based.
* Facilitate effective multi-agency collaboration and communication, promoting clarity of roles and responsibilities.
* Provide independent challenge and constructive feedback to agencies where safeguarding practice may be insufficient.
* Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of meetings, decisions, and actions.
* Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of local child protection policies and procedures.
* Identify and report patterns or systemic issues that may affect the welfare of children and make recommendations for improvement.
* Participate in audits, inspections, and evaluations to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
* Keep up to date with legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice in child protection.
Requirements
* Professional qualification in social work, child welfare, safeguarding, or a related field is desirable.
* Extensive experience in child protection or safeguarding, including frontline practice and/or management.
* Proven ability to chair meetings with authority, impartiality, and confidence.
* Experience working within multi-agency safeguarding frameworks and statutory processes.
* In-depth understanding of child protection legislation, guidance, and best practice.
* Strong analytical and decision-making skills, particularly under pressure.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to challenge sensitively but firmly.
* Ability to work independently while fostering positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
* High level of integrity, impartiality, and professional credibility.
* Committed to the welfare and rights of children.
* Confident, assertive, and able to maintain authority in complex or sensitive situations.
* Reflective practitioner, open to feedback and continuous professional development.
* Strong organizational and time management skills.
Additional Information
* Bi-Weekly Payments
* 37 Working Hours per Week