• Act as the child protection expert for education and schools, participating in Multi-Agency Child Protection team meetings Actively promoting and supporting the development of inclusive practice across schools/settings and contributing to the sharing of effective practice
• Build upon or conduct thorough assessments of children’s needs by considering various perspectives and expertise from across the team, as well as the wider system
• Act as liaison between the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and Education Services to ensure vulnerable children and young adults receive their education entitlement, including those who are severely absent from school
• Work as part of the team to build an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the child’s daily life to establish the likelihood of significant harm, and to ensure the effective safety planning for children and young people
• Provide consultation and advice to social care professionals in relation to child protection issues and education

About You

Essential

• Experience as Designated Safeguarding Lead in an education setting
• Educated to at least degree level and hold Qualified Teacher Status
• Knowledge and understanding of the statutory child protection framework
• An applied understanding of what constitutes actual or likely significant harm, including indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Experience of contributing effectively to assessment of needs
• The ability to assess information for effective and reliable decision-making and planning
• Proven ability to make critical decisions in complex child protection and ensure statutory responsibilities are met
• Excellent knowledge of multi-agency safeguarding, including key legislation and guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
• Experience of effective multi-agency work and partnership work with children, young people and families
• Strong leadership skills and a proactive approach to building effective partnerships
• Full driving licence and regular access to vehicle.

Desirable

• Hold relevant additional qualification(s) relevant to the role e.g. Early Years SEND, National SENCO Award etc.
• Recent training/CPD activities relating to safeguarding
• Recent experience of working in an education setting with vulnerable groups

This is a fantastic opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a newly developed team, bringing your education expertise, and experience of safeguarding in schools, to a multi-agency child protection team, working alongside colleagues from Social Care, Health and Police.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 13. Please locate the job profile here: Job profiles - Corporate services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Sharon Coubray - Specialism Lead for SLCA (sharon.coubray@hertfordshire.gov.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date

5th & 8th October - Virtual

Benefits of working for us

How To Apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional Information

We are changing

Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving Required

You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.