LSCP Strategic Safeguarding Lead

Posted 20th Nov, 2025

Location

Lewisham

Salary/rate

£63,816 – £66,084

Working pattern

Full-time – 35 hours per week

Working arrangements

Blended

Contract type

Permanent

Closing date

10th Dec, 2025

About the role

Main Purpose of the job:

To manage and coordinate the business of Lewisham Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) and support the Chair of the LSCP
To manage the LSCP strategic business planning processes and ensure the operation of the LSCP, the Executive Partnership and sub groups.
To advise LSCP members and chairs of sub groups on high level policy issues and make recommendations for decision-making relating to the LSCP budget, duties, priorities, and future direction.
To ensure the development and implementation of a Learning and Development programme for the LSCP, including multi-agency training, quality assurance and performance management, case reviews and audit programme
To oversee and assist with implementation of the quality assurance functions of the LSCP in holding agencies to account for their safeguarding arrangements including ongoing support to develop and review the governance framework.
To ensure a coordinated response on safeguarding policies, procedures and practice developments linked to current government initiatives
To proactively encourage and contribute to the individual and organisational reflective thinking required to meet the requirements of Safeguarding Children within the Children’s Act and statutory guidance
To promote, develop and support high quality safeguarding practice and performance in LSCP partner organisations, which is based on legislation, knowledge, research and the effective contribution of all participants, and which leads to positive outcomes for children and young people

Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties:

To develop and manage the LSCP’s relationships with a wide range of senior stakeholders, including directors and chief executives in partner organisations, at borough, regional and national levels.
Working in conjunction with the partnership Chair to develop and keep under review robust governance arrangements with all members of the Partnership which will ensure delivery of the duties and functions described in Working Together to Safeguard Children.
To co-ordinate and promote high level communication, joint planning and multi-agency projects, and implementation of strategic plans between LSCP member organisations and other strategic partner agencies.
To lead on the development of strategic and operational plans for services for children at risk, including taking a development lead in specified policy areas.
To lead with the partnership Chair on preparing the Partnerships for inspection or review.
To lead on specific areas of service development as agreed with the Chair of the LSCP
To oversee the LSCP business-planning processes, enabling the LSCP to formulate their strategic directions and identify their key priorities, and ensuring high level ownership of the LSCP business plans.
To work in close partnership with appropriate senior officers and Lead Members in their roles to oversee safeguarding arrangements for children in Lewisham.
To work with the chair of the LSCP and other Partnerships in monitoring the strategic ‘horizon’ in order to prepare the LSCP for changes in legislation, policy and opportunities to improve practice
To ensure that LSCP members and partner agencies are briefed on new legislation, government guidance, research findings, funding arrangements and policy developments relating to the safety and welfare of children and to advise them of the implications for their business planning and service areas.
To line-manage the LSCP staff providing regular supervision and annual appraisals, and line-manage any short-term consultants or temporary staff, as required.
To manage and monitor the multi-agency LSCP budget, and make recommendations for expenditure.
To oversee and make recommendations to the LSCP, Executive Partnership and task groups on objectives, work planning, policies and resource allocation.
To represent LSCP interests at regional and national levels and to share information, skills, experience and knowledge via regional and national networks and consortia.
To ensure that the LSCP fulfils its statutory function in undertaking Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews.
To lead on ensuring that the LSCP has appropriate performance information both single and multiagency, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding within Lewisham and to work in partnership with appropriate monitoring sub groups and chairs to deliver this.
Work in partnership with agencies to ensure that they provide regular reports of their own safeguarding practice and quality assurance of all areas of practice to the LSCP.
To oversee the development, delivery and evaluation of a multi-agency training programme and to work in partnership with the Policies, Procedures and Training task group and chair to deliver this.
To lead on the strategic safeguarding children professional development activities and events to promote an effective workforce including changes of “organisational culture” and approach where necessary
To develop and deliver, working in close partnership with agencies and the appropriate task groups, an on-going programme of partner agency audit and action planning.
To ensure that findings from agency audits are reported to the relevant Partnerships and committees, and the implementation of any recommendations are monitored and exceptions reported.
To work in close partnership with all LSCP sub groups and Chairs so that they develop and implement appropriate work plans that meet the objectives of the LSCP business plan and to ensure that there is effective reporting of their activity to the Partnership.
Responsible for developing and identifying opportunities to work with a wide range of partners not represented on the LSCP to promote children’s safety and the aims of the Partnership
Responsible for promoting positive links and professional development opportunities with local and national organisations which promote best practice
Ensure the views of children, young people and their families influence the development of safeguarding policies and procedures, leading to the development of an organisation that listens and learns from children, young people and families
To contribute to the development of safeguarding procedures and practice guidance which reflects the Partnership’s commitment to child focused, impactful and outcome focused safeguarding approaches.
To ensure that the LSCP Website is maintained and updated on a regular basis with latest guidance, and any changes in guidance are communicated to partner agencies.
To ensure LSCP and member organisations, policies, procedures and protocols are regularly reviewed and amended in response to legislative and guidance changes, lessons learned and any other relevant factors such as service re-structure.
To manage and coordinate the day to day tasks and responsibilities of the LSCP and its sub groups.
Successful implementation of recommendations and sharing of learning from serious case reviews which will contribute to better practice to ensure children’s safety.

Internal Contacts:

Services within the Children and Young People Directorate
Other council services

External Contacts:

Lewisham Integrated Care Board
Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust
South London and Maudsley NHS Trust
Fire Brigade Services
London Ambulance Services
Housing Services
Primary Care Services
Joint Commissioning
Police
London Probation Service
Community Rehabilitation Company
Voluntary sector
Other Local Authorities
Independent Sector

To carry out the duties of the post with due regard to the Council’s relevant policies, codes and procedures.
To carry out duties with due regard to the Council’s values and behaviours.
All employees are required to participate in Appraisal and Performance Management processes and to undertake appropriate training and development, including mandatory induction training, identified to enhance their work.
Undertake other duties, commensurate with the grade, as may reasonably be required.
Consideration will be given to restructuring the duties of this post for a disabled postholder.
THIS JOB DESCRIPTION MAY NEED TO BE AMENDED BY THE DIRECTORATE TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.

Number of fully managed staff: 3
Title:

LSCP Development Officer PO3
2 LSCP Administrator SO1

About you

Note to Candidates
The Person Specification is a picture of the skills, knowledge and experience needed to carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert and will also be used in the shortlisting and interview process for this post. Those categories marked 'S' will be used especially for the purpose of shortlisting. Please ensure that Equality and Diversity issues are addressed specifically in relation to the role for which you are applying when addressing the requirements of this person specification where appropriate. If you are a disabled person and are unable to meet some of the job requirements specifically because of your disability, please address this in your application. If you meet all the other criteria you will be shortlisted and we will explore jointly with you if there are ways in which the job can be changed to enable you to meet the requirements.

Equality & Diversity

Awareness of and a commitment to Equality of Access and Opportunity in a diverse community
Understanding of how equality and diversity relates to this post

Knowledge

Substantial management experience of social care services for children or similar in Social Services or Health.
Knowledge and understanding of the range of service development and policy issues which arise from the current and impending developments in the safeguarding of children, across all statutory agencies;
In depth knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of LSCB and relevant research or guidance about LSCBs.
An in-depth knowledge of all the relevant and up to date legislation
Knowledge and experience of evaluation, quality assurance and auditing of organisations; and the approaches, processes and practice.
Knowledge of and effective project management
Knowledge of complex case management in safeguarding children practice

Aptitude

Ability to work in a multi-agency environment
Ability to manage work appropriately to ensure deadlines are met and outcomes are being achieved
Ability to remain calm in stressful and challenging situations, acting professionally and appropriately at all times
Ability to manage change and promote/achieve a continuous improvement cycle, ensuring positive impact.

Skills

(Skills can only be used as shortlisting criteria if the skill is to be tested (To Be Tested – T))

High level written and oral communication skills
Excellent presentation skills for both large internal/external groups and Member briefings.
Good ICT skills
Budget management skills
Excellent report writing skills

Experience

Experience of drafting or contributing to the development of inter-agency protocols, which take account of the views of children, young people, and their families/carers.
Experience of managing and supervising staff.
Experience of contributing to workforce development and learning, for example training, training needs analysis and planning and delivery
Significant experience of effective inter-agency partnership work; including work with statutory agencies and independent providers
Experience of managing budgets and financial awareness in policy formation.
Significant experience of policy and procedure drafting and implementation
Experience of conveying complex information to a range of audiences in a readily accessible and appropriate form.

General Education

A relevant professional qualification and/or substantial experience in the delivery of multiagency services strategy and policy formation.
Excellent levels of literacy and numeracy

Personal Qualities

Self-motivated and takes responsibility for own learning and seeks new sources of knowledge and development.
Demonstrates creativity in solving problems, identifying new opportunities and producing innovative proposals, ideas and structures, within appropriate limits
Excellent inter-personal skills

Circumstances

Occasional work outside of normal working hours

Special Requirements

This post is subject to a enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

DBS Disclosure Required
Enhanced ☑

About Lewisham

Welcome to Lewisham – a vibrant and culturally diverse borough that is bursting with fantastic things to see and do. As a truly international borough with over 170 languages spoken in our homes and businesses, a thriving cultural scene, and a treasure trove of indie shops, bustling markets and more, it’s a great place to start and build a career.

Social work in Lewisham is changing and we have set out our vision and values for how we practice. In Lewisham Children’s Social Care (CSC), we know what good social work looks like and we are passionate about creating the right conditions and culture for good practice to thrive.

Our social workers benefit from working in small, supportive teams with caseloads on average between 15-20 children. Our ‘Signs of Safety’ practice framework means we are committed to working in a relationship-based way with children and families, focussing on strengths in the family network to effect change. A positive learning culture which promotes opportunities for reflection and relationship-based practice is important to us. We are committed to developing our practice using reflective practice spaces such as case mapping, thinking spaces and group supervision.

Our permanent and stable senior management team are visible and approachable. Our dedicated PSW and workforce team supports professional development across the service so that you will;

be supported through our comprehensive learning and development offer, which includes subscriptions to ‘Research in Practice’ and ‘Making Research Count’.
receive regular supervision and appraisal.
have 1-1 practice development coaching as a case holding practitioner, and professional development coaching as a manager.
have access to regular ‘Signs of Safety’ training and the opportunity to become a practice leader through attending our bespoke practice leader course.
have access to external leadership development opportunities such as Pathways and the Black and Asian Leadership Initiative (BALI).
have a clearly defined career progression pathway with opportunities for professional development at all levels.

We have a strong working relationship with Goldsmiths, University of London as part of the South East London Teaching Partnership so our practitioners have the opportunity to teach on social work courses as teaching consultants. We host ‘Step Up’, ‘Frontline’ and traditional route students and social workers have the opportunity to become practice educators.

Core CSC Staff Benefits include:

We have been awarded the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard – a benchmark for high employment standards. We are also one of the first London Councils to be accredited a London Living Wage employer and are a Disability Confident employer as well as a Timewise accredited Flex positive employer. We offer a 35-hour working week, and:
The opportunity to work in a thriving, diverse and developing inner London borough with a stable management team, manageable caseloads and a workforce group committed to promoting your development and emotional wellbeing
Generous salary for social workers at all levels
Generous holiday entitlement - starting at 27 days a year (plus public holidays) rising to 32 and 35 days after 5- and 10-years’ continued service.
Oyster card access for travelling in and around London for work and we are exploring initiatives, including Zip cars
Flexible working policies and a variety of hybrid, and flexible working options – we know how important this is to you
Smarter Working with new modern technology and training to support this
Career average pension scheme
Family friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and special leave for emergencies.
Variety of support schemes including key worker housing, tax-free childcare scheme, access to Civil Service Sports Club which offers financial discounts and savings on days out and entertainment. KAARP activities and entertainment discounts. We offer a shop local discount scheme, volunteering leave, long service awards, membership of the Crownsavers Credit Union and access to Payroll Giving.
Health and Wellbeing support includes a staff support hub and 24/7 employee assistance programme which incorporates mental health support, counselling services and access to the PAM Assist health and wellbeing app.
We have signed the Menopause Pledge and offer gender specific and gender-neutral health and wellbeing support with access to financial advice. We offer discounted gym and leisure centre membership including free lunch time swimming; interest free loans for season tickets, nursery childcare, and bikes, a “try before you buy” bike scheme and cycle training, smoking cessation, free eye tests and money towards glasses.
Active Employee Groups including the Black and Multicultural Forum, Anti-racist Network Group, LGBTQ+ Forum, Disabled Staff Forum, Climate Emergency Staff Forum, Trade Union Memberships, and a staff-led Change Network

Staff tell us they feel valued and enjoy working in Lewisham and are well supported by their managers with regular reflective supervision and good access to training.

“Lewisham has so much to offer any social worker. I feel supported, respected and valued every step of the way”
Lewisham Social Worker

If you have any questions about applying for this role, or if you are interested in having an informal discussion about working with us, please contact our Recruitment and Retention Manager, Angela Main at angela.main@lewisham.gov.uk or Sara Taylor, our Principal Social Worker: sara.taylor@lewisham.gov.uk