Senior Safeguarding Consultant Full Time / 37.50 / Monday to Friday Remote Role – with some travel within UK Driving Licence is essential £doe plus car allowance Key Tasks To deputise for the Head of Safeguarding in their absence. To support the Head of Safeguarding in driving the Safeguarding strategy and associated Objectives/KPIs to ensure alignment with the company strategic objectives To ensure a Children First approach to Child Protection and Safeguarding, including regulatory compliance, ensuring the child's voice is heard and that they are safeguarded. To provide advice, support and guidance to relevant stake holders on complex Safeguarding, Child Protection and Suitability issues that present external and internal risk. Responsibilities: To support the end-to-end coordination of significant safeguarding incidents, including but not exclusive to: External communication with the regulator, Local Authority and Police Oversight of the investigative process and provide advice/guidance as and when required Risk assessment and propose improvements and/or actions to safeguard the child/nursery/organisation To develop innovative responses to safeguarding incident management and to problem solve with a high degree of responsibility and independence. To attend external ASV/Child Strategy meetings where required, respectfully challenging decisions and building organisational trust and confidence. Ensuring relevant actions/next steps are implemented to satisfy the external agencies. To establish, promote, develop, and maintain good working relationships with the Regulator, local Safeguarding Partnership Leads, health, education, police and LADOs To identify trends, risk and areas of improvement based on the assessment of significant incidents to promote organisational learning and a pro – active approach to building a culture of safety To work closely with the Head of Safeguarding in relation to recruitment, provide support and guidance regarding safer employment both organizationally and on an individual basis. To ensure that the Head of Safeguarding is well updated to ensure senior leaders are kept fully informed in respect of those situations which may pose risk to the business. Essential Experience Previous experience as a Local Authority Designated Officer or Social Work Strong knowledge of the regulatory requirements and child protection legislations specific to Early Years Being an experienced senior safeguarding practitioner with extensive knowledge and experience of safeguarding children. Highly developed specialist knowledge and experience of working in partnership with a range of agencies to keep children safe, particularly with education and social care professionals and police. Key skills in analysis and risk management within your practice and your understanding of the strength and merit of developing great partnership relationships. Ability to keep abreast of current Child Protection and Safeguarding legislation, guidance and research. Ability to communicate and influence effectively with people at all levels both within and external to the business. Ability to work under pressure and deliver a good standard of work. Able to cope with a variety of tasks and prioritise work according to strict and competing deadlines. Ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality at all times. Management of staff experience. Be committed, confident and competent professional who has a proven record of progressing/managing complex child protection investigations Possess demonstrable evidence of current knowledge in national safeguarding policy, guidance and learning from reviews for children. Demonstrates evidence and experience of applying effective analytical skills and using problem solving skills to foresee obstacles and make strategic decisions. Demonstrates evidence and experience of managing conflict between different stakeholders, particularly where there may be different requirements and expectations. Ability to work independently, managing caseloads to ensure efficient and effective response to enquiries. Strong collaborative skills and the ability to ensure the continued good team ethos. Excellent verbal and written communication and report writing skills. You will be both passionate and ambitious for children. Previous experience of managing a team Qualifications Needed Broad academic education Professional and relevant qualification in Child Protection/Safeguarding Evidence of continuous professional development and awareness of current Child Protection initiatives Full, clean driving licence Personal Attributes Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise with staff at all levels. Highly motivated and driven and able to meet deadlines Strong customer focused approach High energy and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Calm approach and ‘can-do’ attitude Encourages colleagues to realise their potential and empowers high performers Excellent report writing skills Able to use data and numerical detail effectively to implement improvements Ability to travel within the UK; flexibility to work at home or from a regional office as required, with overnight stays as necessary Bright Horizons are committed to creating inclusive environments where everyone has a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to contribute and thrive in meaningful and impactful ways. We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS We look forward to receiving your application! If you experience any problems, please email europe.recruitment@brighthorizons.com and we will be happy to help.