About the role
The role is for a caseworker in the Safeguarding in Education Team based in North Northants. The team work closely with social care education teams as well as safeguarding staff in primary, secondary and further education settings and will be an effective conduit for information sharing and service development across Children’s Services and Education.
The post holder will work closely with the Lead for Safeguarding in Education and support with the operational delivery of Safeguarding advice and support to schools.
In March 2023 the North Northants Safeguarding in Education desegregated from West Northants.
The Team sits within the Directorate of Education and reports to the Head of School Effectiveness Service.
The team supports all schools (primary and secondary) Colleges and Alternative Provisions. We also work with the Home Elective Team and partner agencies which include working closely with social care.
The team are based in North Northants and operate on a hybrid working arrangement. The team consist of Service Manager, two Casework Officers and a Business Support Manager.
The focus of the team is to build upon established operational relationships with educational and partner agencies and develop robust safeguarding pathways between education establishments including schools, Northamptonshire Childrens Trust and the LADO service.
What will you be doing?
This post requires a specific range of safeguarding knowledge, negotiation, influencing, auditing and signposting skills. It requires a detailed knowledge of working with schools and education colleagues and the interface between education and social care professionals.
The role will contribute to the development and delivery of a comprehensive and robust safeguarding training and advice programme that meets the needs of Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), Head Teachers, teaching and non-teaching staff and governors. The role will represent education in multi-agency fora including those related to Safeguarding, Child Protection and Child Exploitation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Produce reports and maintain a Case Management File system.
Provide Advice, guidance and support with the Safeguarding agenda to schools/colleges
Devise and deliver a variety of training packages which include new, current, local and national themes and good practice guidance.
Complete safeguarding audits for education establishments and advise on improvements in safeguarding practice
Liaise with other professionals at the Local Authority to share intelligence about education settings in order to provide a targeted and joined-up approach to school improvement
Participate in LA auditing process on behalf of education such as, Care Planning, Thresholds and Missing/Return Home Interviews.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of job purpose and accountabilities.
About you
Applicant Requirements:
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher or Qualified Social Worker.
- Experience: 1+ year of post-graduate experience within a similar role.
- Compliance: Proof of ability to work and live in the UK. Current DBS check and references covering the last 3 years.
- Travel: Clean UK driving license with the ability to commute to and from work independently.
- Hours: 37 hours p/w.
Please refer to the attached Job description and person specification for details of essential and desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience required for this role.
Our benefits
We offer:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
About us
We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.
Our priorities are:
- helping people live active fulfilled lives
- caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
- enabling a thriving and successful economy
- leading on a green and sustainable environment
- ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
- providing modern public services
Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.
Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.
We are undertaking consultation with the Trade Unions on terms and conditions and the future NNC pay structure and during this time are appointing new employees on interim spot salaries. You will be advised of the outcome and any impact on your role once this work is complete.
Attached documents
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