Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel

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Job description

About the Panel

No child should ever suffer harm, abuse or neglect, and reducing this is the primary focus of the independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

Set up by the UK Government in 2018, the Panel reviews all cases when children die or are seriously harmed, and abuse or neglect is known or suspected. The aim is to see what lessons can be drawn from these tragic incidents to prevent them from happening again elsewhere.

The Panel brings together a range of experts who have a strong understanding of the multi-agency safeguarding system, with experience working in child safeguarding across health, children's social care, policing, education and the third sector. It currently consists of a chair and eight other members, including the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families.

The Panel has the power to commission national reviews of serious child safeguarding cases which it believes are complex or have issues of national importance. Improvements identified by the Panel's national reviews help the Government and those who work with children to better safeguard and promote their welfare.

About the role

The independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel is looking for a part-time chair.

The Chair is responsible for leading and managing the Panel. They must set the strategic vision for the Panel and ensure the Panel's work is effective in improving the safeguarding of children. It is also vital they influence policy and practice change effectively to maximise the Panel's impact on child safeguarding.

It is a varied role, which includes working with Ministers and senior government officials, supervising fieldwork, undertaking analysis and disseminating learning to those working in child safeguarding.

We are looking for individuals with experience working strategically at a senior level and operationally in child protection. However, the successful candidate will be appointed to fill this role as an individual acting in the public interest and not as a representative of their particular profession, employer or interest group.

The Chair will be required to attend fortnightly Panel meetings, either virtually or in-person in London. They must also be available to attend ad hoc meetings with key stakeholders, as well as working with a Secretariat.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide strategic leadership for the Panel, leading the development and implementation of a strategic vision for the Panel, ensuring a focus on Panel's impact.
• To be ultimately responsible and accountable for the Panel's work and conduct of its functions. This includes taking urgent decisions on behalf of the whole Panel when required.
• To lead continuous improvement reviews of Panel work and membership to ensure its ongoing effectiveness. This includes leading long-term planning for Panel membership.
• To ensure the Panel demonstrates the highest standards of integrity at all times, including ensuring the identification and management of any conflicts of interest which might arise.
• Chairing Panel meetings effectively so that objectives are met, ensuring that all members views are taken into account. This includes creating a culture of openness, debate and collaboration that maximises use of all members skills and experience.
• To represent the Panel to the public, media, and children's social care and safeguarding sector.
• To build and maintain positive relationships with Multi-Agency Safeguarding Partners at both national and local level.

Person Specification

Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to: provide strong strategic leadership; chair high level meetings; effectively manage team dynamics; and maintain the confidence of others, including child safeguarding professionals, Ministers, and the public.

The right candidate will also demonstrate two other key skills: a strong understanding of multi-agency child safeguarding arrangements policy and frontline delivery; and ability to influence policy and practice change effectively.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

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