Head of Children, Families Public Health Services and Safeguarding

Head of Children, Families Public Health Services and Safeguarding

Are you a passionate public health leader with expertise in safeguarding and a commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people, and families? Southend-On-Sea City Council are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Children, Young People and Families Public Health Services and Safeguarding to drive strategic improvements and lead critical services that support the most vulnerable in our communities.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will maintain and improve health and life chances for children and families in Southend on Sea City Council providing the senior clinical leadership, safeguarding oversight and supervision for the Health Visiting and School Nursing Public Health Clinical Workforce, which sits within the Public Health department. You will provide strategic direction, professional and operational clinical leadership across the Health Visiting and School Nursing teams and the wider organisation. You will be an expert in all areas of safeguarding children, and act as a central senior advisory point for safeguarding children for the service. The postholder is accountable to the Director of Public Health.

You will lead on Internal Management Reviews (IMRs), Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPR), and where required, Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) and Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) and ensure that the learning from these reviews are shared, implemented, and embedded within the service. You will ensure safeguarding services for health services are delivered in line with Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 - protecting the welfare of children.

About us

Southend-on-Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Job responsibilities

You will lead on Internal Management Reviews (IMRs), Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPR), and where required, Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) and Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) and ensure that the learning from these reviews are shared, implemented, and embedded within the service. You will ensure safeguarding services for health services are delivered in line with Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 - protecting the welfare of children.

Person Specification

• To be successful in this role, you must have senior leadership experience in clinical public health, safeguarding, or a related field. You must have Level 4 safeguarding experience at strategic level and knowledge of safeguarding processes including MARAC/JDATT/MASH.

Qualifications

• Entry on third part of Nursing and Midwifery Register as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse at degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) including general management activities.

Experience

• Have experience of leading a safeguarding service.
• Trained in and experienced in providing safeguarding supervision.
• Extensive knowledge of National Safeguarding policy and Legislation and Guidance, including the Children Act (1989) and (2004), and the Care Act (2014).

Salary: £69,599, rising to £77,332 after 12 months.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours.