Independent Scrutineer

Barking & Dagenham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BDSCP)

Barking & Dagenham

  • Location Barking & Dagenham
  • Sector Local Government, Social Care
  • Client Barking & Dagenham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BDSCP)
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration £600 per day with a commitment of c30-days per year.
  • Reference GSe117411
  • Closing Date Sunday 16th February

The Barking & Dagenham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BDSCP) is the multi-agency partnership that includes statutory and non-statutory agencies working together to provide effective and efficient safeguarding arrangements for children in Barking & Dagenham. BDSCP works collaboratively to give babies, children, young people and their families the best chance in life…so every baby, child, young person and their family gets the best start, is heathy, happy and achieves, thrives in inclusive schools and settings, in inclusive communities, are safe and secure, free from neglect, harm and exploitation, and grow up to be successful young adults.

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Independent Scrutineer to join our team in a pivotal role that ensures the safety and well-being of children within our community.

Independent Scrutineer | £600 per day with a commitment of c30-days per year. The contract offered will be for 12-months, extendable for a further 12-months, subject to annual review.

As an Independent Scrutineer, you will act as the ‘Safeguarding Champion’ for our children, families, staff, and residents. Your primary responsibility will be to provide objective scrutiny, constructive challenge, and assurance regarding the effectiveness of our multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. This role involves evaluating the overall effectiveness of local safeguarding measures, scrutinising the functioning of the BDSCP to ensure equity in decision-making, and listening to the experiences of children, young people, their families, and staff to assess how well local arrangements are working.

You will lead and contribute to the delivery of the Quality Assurance & Scrutiny process, undertaking annual reviews of our safeguarding partnership arrangements, and contribute to the Annual Report. Additionally, you will provide assurance that effective safeguarding performance management, audit, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. Your role will also involve supporting safeguarding partners in identifying priorities and content for the business plan, scrutinising serious child safeguarding cases, and ensuring that practice reviews align with statutory guidance.

About you

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level in a relevant field such as social work, education, health, policing, or public policy, or possess equivalent work experience. A recognised professional qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience at a strategic management level is essential. You should have extensive experience in safeguarding-related assurance, inspection, or scrutiny, and strong leadership experience in the children’s safeguarding field. A comprehensive understanding of the safeguarding agenda, including legislation, guidance, policy, and inspection frameworks, is crucial.

We are looking for a dynamic, energetic, and engaging individual with a high level of personal drive and commitment. You should have excellent communication, presentation, and time management skills, and the ability to influence, challenge practices, and manage conflict and professional disagreements. You will have the confidence to hold agencies to account, whilst empowering multi-agency activity to drive change and improvement. Experience in involving children, young people, and their families in planning and decision-making is also important. Strong analytical skills and the ability to draw clear, evidence-based conclusions are essential.

The BDSCP values innovation and creativity, and we are looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas and challenge to the partnership, especially given the limited resources within the system and the challenges we face the borough. An understanding of the NHS and its complexities, as well as experience working in an urban and diverse area, is highly desirable.

If you are passionate about safeguarding children and have the skills and experience, we are looking for, we would love to hear from you. For a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact Frazer Thouard (07384 810 743), Kembi Coakelin (07778364191), or Alex Hayes (07586715843) from our recruitment partners, GatenbySanderson.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of children and young people in Barking & Dagenham.

The successful candidate will not be a direct employee of the statutory partners but will be accountable to them and supported by the B&D Safeguarding Children Business Unit. The role requires maintaining independence and submissions must be made through a registered company, as it falls outside of IR35.

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