About the Group
Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high quality foster care and special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for.
Our divisional brands include Acorn Education and Care, National Fostering Group & Options Autism.
About the Role
The Group Head of Safeguarding will have the responsibility for ensuring that Outcomes First Group’s services consistently meet and exceed the requirements set out in legislation, statutory guidance, regulation and the national minimum standards in relation to safeguarding children and adults.
This will be done by influencing appropriate stakeholders in each of our divisions to make robust safeguarding decisions when dealing with serious incidents and allegations. You will provide advice, support and constructive challenge to our operational leaders to ensure statutory processes are followed. We are committed to providing excellent training to all our employees and you will contribute to defining the learning and development strategy in respect of safeguarding and associated topics.
You will undertake internal investigations and safeguarding audits on occasion.
The post holder will develop and oversee systems that deliver confidence to senior leaders and ensure all of our services have clear operational policies and procedures that meet legislative, regulatory and national policy requirements.
The post holder will lead regular forums for the safeguarding leads in all services. The forums will be specific to education, fostering, adult care and children’s residential care as appropriate for participants.
Who we are looking for
The ideal candidate will hold a Professional Qualification to Level 6 in a relevant field. For example; Social Work, Education, Healthcare, Public Sector. It is essential that you have experience and knowledge of safeguarding legislation and practice and understand the external social care and education sector legislative and policy environment.
The post holder will work closely with colleagues across the Group, providing them with the support and specialist advice to ensure adherence to policy and practice. You must be able to influence and lead the Group to help us to continually improve our safeguarding policies and procedures.
You will have experience in the production of high level reports and analysis as this role will expect you to provide a monthly report to the Executive Team that identifies patterns and trends across the Group that may highlight risk and enable improvement activity.
Essential Criteria
- Professional Qualification to Level 6 in a relevant field eg Social Work, Education, Healthcare, Public Sector
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Stakeholder influence and leadership experience
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Experience and knowledge of safeguarding legislation and practice.
- Understanding of the external social care and education sector legislative and policy environment
- Production and analysis of reports
- Project management skills and experience
- Ability to travel and do occasional overnight stays.
Why work for us
- Holidays starting at 25 days per annum
- Extensive training suite
- Career development across the Group
- Professional support network
- Contributory Pension
- The Hub – employee discounts, recognition cards, well-being centre
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Salary Finance
- Option to purchase private medical.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
For more information or to apply, please click here.
