Job title: Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (LSCP) Business Unit Manager
Salary: Dir 45% (£58,605 - £64,262)
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds (combination of centre office and home working)
The mission of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (LSCP) is to ensure that key services are delivered in the right way, so that children are kept safe. Through Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements, LSCP sets out how the mandatory requirements of safeguarding legislation are to be met within Leeds.
We are looking for someone to lead our Business Unit, working with partners across the city to drive the priorities of the LSCP Executive to improve outcomes for children, young people and families in Leeds.
As the Business Unit Manager, you will be responsible for managing relationships across the three statutory partner organisations: Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police and NHS Leeds Health and Care Partnership. You’ll support statutory obligations and promotion of the welfare of children and young people in Leeds.
About you
As our Business Unit Manager, you will bring to the role:
- Relevant sector experience at a senior management level, including experience of leading change programmes and driving up standards.
- Passion, drive and innovation for delivering best outcomes for children.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Excellent leadership, communication, partnership working and problem-solving skills.
- A good understanding of local and national initiatives around safeguarding children and young people to be able to provide expert guidance, strategic leadership and effectively review impact of the work of the LSCP.
- Commitment to build strong and dynamic relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for the LSCP and CYPP.
About the role
You will provide strategic and operational leadership to the LSCP Business Unit, which supports and services the work of the LSCP Executive Board and the wider Children and Young Peoples Partnership (CYPP). You will ensure that its statutory functions, safeguarding arrangements and associated priorities for children and young people in the city are met.
What we offer you
You will work for the LSCP but will be employed by Leeds City Council and benefit from the comprehensive wellbeing offer and staff benefits in place. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and Best City Ambitions. We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact:
- Jo Harding (Chair of the LCSP Executive), Director of Nursing and Quality, Leeds Health and Care Partnership, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board at harding7@nhs.net; or
- Farrah Khan, Deputy Director, Children and Families Directorate, Leeds City Council at Khan@leeds.gov.uk
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose Responsible for managing relationships across the three partner organisations, Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police and NHS Leeds Health and Care Partnership in order to support them in their statutory obligations and promotion of welfare of children and young people in Leeds. The postholder will work closely with the Executive Board and Children and Young People’s Partnership (CYPP) to drive the safeguarding agenda for Children and Young people in Leeds.
Responsibilities
- Support delivery of programmes of strategic significance to the Council to deliver services in line with Council priorities.
- Responsible for the development and delivery of the LSCP annual plan and linked service plan and drive continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects.
- In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.
- Review and monitor the performance of services, systems, budget, teams and individuals against standards and agreed outcomes in a cost effective and flexible way that is responsive to a dynamic local, political and national context
- Lead on the strategic and operational management of the LSCP Business Unit in order to meet the needs of the LSCP Executive Board and Children and Young People’s Partnership (CYPP).
- Lead role in the development of the annual plans, including training and have an oversight of the LSCP Business Unit budget and supporting the work of LSCP sub-groups.
- Represent the LSCP as and when required at multi-agency meetings.
- Represent the Children and Families Senior Management Team as required to provide briefings to ward Members and MP’s.
- Evidence of significant experience and commitment in relation to the engagement of relevant citizens, customers and stakeholders in decision making processes.
- Build strong and dynamic relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for the LSCP and CYPP.
- Provide support to the Independent Scrutineer in fulfilling their role.
- The responsibilities outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other responsibilities commensurate to the grade.
Qualifications Appropriate professional qualification or equivalent substantial knowledge and experience in the service area.
Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.
Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Able to develop close and effective relationship with the LSCP Executive Board and the CYPP to ensure that the work of the Business unit is closely aligned to their needs, responsibilities and priorities.
- Able to demonstrate examples of managing services and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
- Able to manage competing priorities, ensuring delivery on a range of programmes and adapting to changing circumstances including report writing and presenting to diverse audiences.
- Able to demonstrate examples of managing services and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
- Able to manage competing priorities, ensuring delivery on a range of programmes and adapting to changing circumstances.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues.
- Knowledge of applicable, legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of local and national initiatives around safeguarding children and young people in order to be able to provide expert guidance, strategic leadership and effectively review impact of the work of the LSCP.
- Significant experience of leading change programmes, including service quality and driving up standards and performance, demonstrating the ability to manage competing priorities whilst ensuring delivery on a range of programmes and adapting to changing circumstances.
- Substantial experience of delivering a multi-disciplinary service at a senior level that is driven by service user requirements based on delivers customer focused outcomes and excellent customer satisfaction results.
- Experience of senior leadership and management relevant to area of service delivery
- Experience of strategic and operational resource management including the evaluation of competing priorities and managing accountabilities
- Significant experience and commitment in relation to engagement in decision making processes.
- Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team
Behavioural & other Characteristics required.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
