Specialist Safeguarding Children Advisor

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a number of suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to join the NELFT Safeguarding Team in the role of Specialist Safeguarding Children Advisor.

The successful applicants will support the Named Professionals for Safeguarding Children and join the NELFT Safeguarding Team to ensure a Think Family approach to Safeguarding.

We will welcome applicants with a nursing or allied health professional qualification. You will be required to provide input to NELFT’s Safeguarding Children Advice Service which is based in Basildon, deliver safeguarding training, assist with policy development and contribute to the progress of the safeguarding strategy.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate a passion for safeguarding and be prepared to provide safeguarding supervision for practitioners. The post holder will be prepared to travel to various bases across Essex or London dependant on base as well as, on occasions, attend meetings in all areas covered by NELFT.

You will be expected to take forward the safeguarding children agenda, and support the Named Professional and wider safeguarding team. The post holder will be required to support the delivery of the NELFT Safeguarding Strategy which includes policy development and review, supervision, training and participation in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews and other reviews.

**The main responsibilities of the post**:
The role of the Specialist Safeguarding Children Advisor involves working closely with the Named Professionals for Safeguarding Children, and other safeguarding Leads in order to ensure that staff can access advice and support readily at the point of need.

An important element of the role is to participate in the planning, delivery and evaluation of safeguarding training, both single agency and multi-agency, and you will be expected to attend safeguarding children meetings as the representative for NELFT, including Local Safeguarding Children Board sub groups and to deputise for the Named Professional as directed.

You will be required to provide safeguarding children supervision for a defined group of staff and support staff in the preparation of written reports both in relation to formal Child Protection procedures and for legal proceedings.

PLEASE NOTE THIS VACANCY MAY CLOSE EARLY DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS.

Probationary Period

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction.

High Cost Area Supplement - London

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £3,899 and a maximum payment of £4,968).

COVID-19 Vaccination

We continue to encourage all staff to ensure that they have been double vaccinated and received their booster. We recognise that taking the vaccine provides the best defence against COVID 19 for our patients, our staff and their families.

Duties and main responsibilities

Adhere to and implement Local and National policies for Child Protection/Safeguarding Children and adults within professional practice.

Supporting cover arrangements for the Safeguarding Children Advice Service under the supervision of a senior colleague.

Work collaboratively with the Safeguarding Adults team to embed the ‘Think Family’ approach.

Work closely with the Named Professionals for Safeguarding Children and the wider safeguarding team in order to ensure that staff can access advice and support readily at the point of need and embed the think family approach.

Support the work of the safeguarding team with health practitioners and their managers in developing high standards of practice in relation to the management of vulnerable children and their families.

Assist fellow Specialist Safeguarding Children Advisors and Named Professionals in supporting staff involved in the Child Protection processes, attending Child Protection conferences, strategy meetings and other interagency / professional meetings as the need arises and/or briefing practitioners in relation to these meetings.

Provide safeguarding children supervision for a defined group of staff as agreed, in line with NELFT’s Safeguarding Supervision Policy.

Support the delivery of the annual Safeguarding Children/adult Audit Programme.

Provide support to staff involved in the Child Protection processes, attending Child Protection conferences, strategy meetings and other interagency / professional meetings as the need arises

Support new or inexperienced staff with writing effective referrals to social care, escalations and child protection reports.

Support staff in the development of chronologies for FII and Perplexing presentation cases or in respect of CSPRs and DHRs where there are children involved

Support the dissemination of Child Safeguarding Practice Revie