Defence Children Services (DCS) Defence Allegation Designated Officer

Defence Children Services (DCS) Defence Allegation Designated Officer
Location: Trenchard Lines, Upavon, Wiltshire
Grade: Higher Executive Officer
Salary: £36,530
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

If you:

• Are passionate about keeping children safe.
• Have experience of allegation management and multi-agency working.
• Want to be part of a dynamic team that supports and improves the educational outcomes of c.5000 children and young people in Service Families.
• Would like to develop your skills through the opportunity to work with diverse overseas locations and the wider Defence community.

Then this could be the role for you.

Defence Children Services (DCS) are seeking a highly skilled and appropriately qualified Safeguarding specialist with expertise and proven success managing relationships and systems in a multi-agency environment.

The context of Defence allegation management is unique and complex but also exciting and rewarding. Although very different to a county level or unitary local authority, the MOD is equally committed to the principles that allegations against people who work with children are not dealt with in isolation and that any action necessary to address corresponding welfare concerns in relation to a child or children involved should be taken without delay and in a co-ordinated manner.

The MOD executes its responsibilities as part of multi-agency arrangements to deliver the management and oversight of allegations against people who work with children.

As the DCS DADO you will make a huge difference to Defence and Service families by being responsible for the operational leadership of systems and processes that deliver allegations management within Defence. The allegations management service sits within the DCS Safeguarding (SAFE) Team, which is led by the Senior Safeguarding Lead/Defence Allegations Designated Officer.

The DADO Service is made up of a team of dedicated personnel who assist in the management of child safeguarding allegations made against MOD personnel (Service/Civilian and locally employed).

DCS is a Defence delivery organisation. Our Vision is that we Educate the Child – Support the Family – Defend the Nation. HQ DCS is a diverse, multi disciplined team, based in Wiltshire but with forward deployed staff all over the world. We are responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings and we provide advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The post holder’s key responsibilities and main duties of the DADO are:

• To ensure the child's voice is heard and that they are safeguarded.
• To provide advice, support and guidance to Defence partners on complex issues that reach the DADO threshold, in overseas locations.
• To coordinate and oversee the response to allegations made against MOD personnel working with children overseas, monitoring case progression to ensure all actions are met swiftly and resolving any inter-agency issues.
• To ensure a consistent, fair and thorough process for all persons working with children and young people.
• Where there is no Local Safeguarding Partnership, support the coordination of the safeguarding and investigative process and provide advice/guidance.
• To set the agenda and chair allegation management strategy meetings, holding agencies to account and where required, respectfully challenge decisions and attitudes.
• To work with policy partners to develop policy and practice with regards to allegations management.
• To ensure local processes are compliant with the requirements of the Joint Service Publications - Safeguarding (JSP 834) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)and Safer Recruitment and Employment (JSP 893) and guidance outlined within Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Person specification

In your personal statement and CV, please provide evidence of:

• Previous experience as a Local Authority Designated Officer or active registration with Social Work England (SWE), the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or Social Care Wales.
• 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.

Further details on the role can be found on the Civil Service jobs page.

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role before applying, email RC-DCS-HQ-SAFE@mod.gov.uk.

To apply please visit Civil Service Jobs to submit your completed application before the deadline of Tuesday 4th February.

Defence Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.