Child Protection Lead Officer, West Lothian Civic Centre, 505.17

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36 hrs per week, 52.14 weeks per year - Permanent

We are keen to employ a diverse workforce that reflects the people of Scotland. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly from groups currently under-represented, including people with disabilities, those from minority ethnic communities or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds

West Lothian Council are looking for an individual who has a combination of professional knowledge, leadership ability, interpersonal skills and personal qualities to manage the complex safeguarding responsibilities attributed to the Child Protection Lead Officer role. The Lead Officer will support the implementation of the core functions of the Child Protection Committee consistent with section 4.13 Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committees, 2005.

Directly accountable to the Child Protection Committee and managed by the Chairperson, the Lead Officer will be responsible for maintaining an independent overview of inter-agency child protection activity and will take the lead role in ensuring continuous improvement.

The Lead Officer will play a key role in the promotion of good practice by assisting in the development and implementation of quality assurance mechanisms and ensuring these contribute to improved outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

The Lead Officer will ensure the CPC is informed of national developments, including changes in legislation, Scottish Executive policies, regulations and guidance; research evidence and best practice examples in child protection. With direct reporting responsibility to the CPC and to Chief Officers through the CPC, the Lead Officer will compile evidence-based reports reflecting key indicators of performance and standards of practice in child protection.

Applicants must be educated to degree level with a relevant professional qualification in Social Work, Health, Education, Law enforcement or Legal Practice. A minimum of 5 years working in a public protection setting is also required.

This post is categorised as a hybrid post under the Council’s Flexible Working Scheme, which allows for up to two days home working per week.

This position requires registration with the SSSC. The successful candidate will have six months from the date of commencement of this post to become registered with the SSSC. SSSC stipulate you must submit your application within three months of your start date. If you are already registered with SSSC you will be required to add West Lothian Council to your account

This post is considered Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and/or Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. Successful candidates will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment and the cost will be met by the candidate.

The fee for a Full PVG Scheme Membership is £59 or Existing Member is £18. The £59 cost (where appropriate) will be deducted from your salary over a 1 or 3 month period by repayment schedule. If your employment concludes before the amount is re-paid in full, the outstanding balance will be deducted from your final salary.