Child Protection Conference Chair

Child Protection Conference Chair

PO6: £54,684 rising in annual increments to £57,726 pa incl. LW

Plus Market Supplement of £4,700 per annum

Permanent / Full Time or Part Time

Hybrid Working

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Quality Assurance Service in Lambeth as Child Protection Conference Chair a as part of our improvement journey.  Ofsted have recently undertaken a focused visit and sited the significant improvements seen across both CIN and CP – specifically commenting upon the effectiveness of Child Protection Conference Chair’s raising practice alerts that are responded to effectively to keep children safe, holding midways and developing plans are focused and most step up/step downs are appropriate.  Lambeth are seeking highly talented and ambitious Child Protection Conference Chair’s to join our team and continue to support on our journey to excellence. 

Your expertise will support and empower families to actively participate in the process and helping children stay.

This will be an opportunity for you to influence our Signs of Safety conference offer to ensure it aligns with the One Lambeth Approach. We have the highest ambitions for our children every single day and a child first approach.  We are focusing on putting children and families at the heart of everything that we do.   This could be your opportunity to influence and advocate for positive safe outcomes for children, young people and families.  
We are looking for a candidate who is focused on children’s outcomes and will proactively get involved in ensuring the right decisions are made at the right time for children on child protection plans and that best practice is being followed.  Also, ensuring to include families and children are supported to be part of developing their plan to reduce risk and keep children with families wherever possible.  

You will have a deep understanding of child protection legislation, family court processes and children’s rights.  Having strong skills in chairing multi-agency meetings that bring parents on board and resolve differences.  Your communication and written skills will be exemplary. Consideration can be given to flexible/part-time working arrangements.

If you're eager to be part of a journey that’s dedicated to reshaping child protection conference approach, we want to hear from you! Apply now and let’s make a difference together!

Duties and Responsibilities

• Chair Respectful Child Protection conferences in person, identify risk and decide upon the need for a child to be subject to child protection plan, to ensure effective decision making about thresholds for child protection and child in need plans. 
• Provide professional consultation, advice support and challenge to social work practitioners/ managers on critical child protection decisions, and on care planning for children in care (looked after per Children Act 1989). 
• Develop SMART Plans with parents/carers which are outcome focused for children in need / in need of protection. 
• Monitor progress of planning between reviews identify any barriers within the wider multi-agency system to the implementation of children’s plan

About the Borough:

Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. 
With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.  The Civic Centre is just a short walk from the main underground and train station.  

Our Offer to you: 

•    Fantastic, modern working environment in the award-winning Lambeth Town Hall and Civic Centre buildings
•    Competitive Salary including £4700 market force supplement
•    Up to 35 days annual leave, dependent upon continuous service
•    5 Minutes from London Underground and excellent transport links into the centre of London
•    Hybrid/Flexible working
•    Cycle to Work Scheme (including City Bike Hire scheme)
•    Attractive Local Government Pension Scheme
•    A permanent senior leadership team in QA
•    Manageable caseloads that enable connection with families

 If you have any questions or queries around the child protection chair role, please get in touch with Michelle Knott (MKnott1@lambeth.gov.uk), Service Manager Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, or Admire Machaya, Team Manager Safeguarding (AMachaya1@lambeth.gov.uk) 

We are a Stonewall diversity champion; a Living Wage Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. Please click here for a full list of our accreditations.

Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs. 

In addition, you will also be required to undertake a Cifas check from the Fraud Prevention organisation. Further information can be found here Cifas.

 

How to Apply

Interested? Click on the apply button and complete an on-line application, using the ‘Cover Letter’ link to upload your Supporting Statement, explicitly evidencing how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an ‘A’ at shortlist stage.

You must upload a Supporting Statement and CV for your application to be considered.
Please note we operate an anonymised application process.  When uploading your CV and personal statement, please remove your personal details. 

Job Description & Person Specification

Closing Date:   Sunday 9th February 2025

Provisional Interview dates: February 25th and 26th 2025

Lambeth aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all and is committed to safer recruitment