Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership is seeking a highly effective Independent Chair and Scrutineer. This role requires an outstanding individual with proven experience of chairing complex meetings at a senior level, particularly in partnership settings, and who has a good operational and strategic understanding of the safeguarding agenda.
About Thurrock multi-agency safeguarding arrangements:
In May 2019, new multi-agency safeguarding arrangements were introduced in Thurrock, which incorporate a whole-system approach to safeguarding children. The Strategic Safeguarding Partners; Thurrock Council, Essex Police and Thurrock CCG have established a multi-agency partnership, with a number of sub groups and task and finish groups commissioned by the Board to support its strategic plan.
About the role:
Central to the new arrangements will be the work of the Independent Chair and Scrutineer (ICS). This role will play an important part in supporting the strategic work of the Board and that of the Safeguarding Partnership. The ICS will work with the Board’s Business Unit to provide independent scrutiny and ensure that the new arrangements make a real difference to the safety and wellbeing of children at risk.
If you are an experienced senior leader with an in-depth knowledge of safeguarding children, and a clear commitment to work collaboratively with partners to improve outcomes for children at risk of abuse and/or neglect, we would like to hear from you.
As Chair you will:
- Be accountable to the three statutory partners for ensuring that the multi-agency safeguarding arrangements have a distinct, independent and objective voice, representing the views of all partners, driving improvements, and ensuring independent challenge to partners where necessary.
- Facilitate independent scrutiny to provide assurance in judging the effectiveness of multi-agency arrangements to safeguard children in Thurrock. You will work with the Business Unit to determine the activities necessary to assure the Board about the quality of local arrangements.
- Help focus the work of sub group meetings, task and finish group meetings and will support the development of quality assurance to include oversight of partners’ learning and development activities. You will have access to any papers from those meetings or activities.
- Have extensive experience in chairing strategic partnerships and an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, as well as the ability to inspire trust and confidence of senior professionals across a range of agencies.
- Be professionally qualified in Health/Social Care, Education, Criminal Justice or Legal services with a clear vision, strong leadership skills and clearly demonstrable communication, mediation and negotiation skills, both with professionals and the public.
The successful candidate will provide the services as detailed in the job description and specification document. The contract term is for three years with an option to extend further, subject to satisfactory appraisal.
The HM Revenue and Customs ‘off-payroll work rule’ (IR35) will apply the role of the ICS. As a result, to comply with these regulations payments will be processed via PAYE payroll with associated tax and national insurance deductions at source.
The role will required a DBS Check at an Enhanced Level.
Closing Date: 28 February 2021
Interview Date: 11 March 2021
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/sites/default/files/assets/documents/independent_chair_scrutineer_-_jpps_2021.pdf
Our vision – an ambitious and collaborative community which is proud of its heritage and excited by its diverse opportunities and future.
Here at Thurrock council we are striving to unlock sustainable growth, and lay the foundations for future growth and prosperity of the area. Situated on the north side of the River Thames bordering Essex, Kent and East London, Thurrock is an area of great contrast, with a well-balanced mixture of beauty and business.
We have an exciting and ambitious agenda to deliver here at Thurrock council with £20billion of new investment planned for homes, jobs and infrastructure including £6billion being invested in private sector jobs; 24,500 new jobs planned over the next 20 years – working towards a future where every resident has a good job and £100million new investment in our schools – to ensure our education offer is first class, whilst building upon 97% of our primary schools being “good” or better.
Thurrock is a diverse place, known not only for its ports and logistics centres but home of the Royal Opera House and the expanding intu Lakeside Shopping Centre. Thurrock’s heritage, wildlife sites and breath-taking countryside offer the best of both being perfectly positioned just 35 minutes from central London.
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
If you want to be part of an ambitious, exciting yet challenging council, where you can really make a difference join #TeamThurrock now!
