Job Description

Job Category: Advisor
:
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!
We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK's first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Introduction
Lewisham is recruiting to the Education Lead Advisor that will work across our newly established Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (CPT) and Multi-Agency Adolescent Protection Teams (APT).
These teams are situated in our Family Help and Care division and our Families, Quality and Commissioning division. These divisions are part of our Children and Young People Directorate and provide help and support to children and families from our family hub prevention services through to statutory child protection and care experienced young people.
The Child Protection teams work alongside the Family Help teams to intervene when child protection is required and where the risk to the child is from intra-familial harm. The Adolescent Protection teams work with children at risk of harm outside the home due to issues such as gangs, violence, child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation.
The Education Lead Advisor will be co-located within these teams alongside Lead Child Protection Practitioners, and other multi-agency partners, and will provide expert advice and consultation regarding safeguarding from an education perspective, as well as risk analysis to help inform decision making with the multi-agency network. The Education Lead Advisor will further act as a main point of contact/navigator for the wider education system and promote information sharing and good communication between children's social care and education professionals. They will contribute to information sharing, reflective discussion and safety planning for children in Lewisham who require a child protection response.
It's an exciting time to join Lewisham as we are at the forefront of social work reform as a Wave 2 Families First for Children Pathfinder local authority. This post is part of our reform programme and the redesign of how we deliver services to children and families in our borough. Lewisham will be taking a lead role in supporting other local authorities to embed the reforms as part of the wider DfE national roll out. We are very proud of what we have achieved in the first year as a Pathfinder authority.
What's the role?
We are looking for an inspirational, creative and ambitious safeguarding education leader who wants to be part of leading local and national reform to safeguarding practice with children and families. If you are an experienced individual looking to take the next step in your career then we would love to hear from you.
What's in it for you?
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we're looking for
You will be an experienced and skilled individual with in-depth knowledge of child protection and advanced analytical skills in relation to safeguarding children. We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven ability to make critical decisions in complex child protection cases and ensure statutory responsibilities are met
• Strong leadership skills and a proactive approach to building partnerships with statutory and voluntary sector agencies
• In-depth knowledge of multi-agency safeguarding, including key legislation and guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and Section 175 of the Education Act (2002)
• The ability to act decisively under pressure and manage tight deadlines in complex/high-stakes situations

You will evidence a good understanding the DfE Families First for Children programme of reform. You will be ambitious for children and families and be able to deliver effective services to improve the lives of children and young people
You will have significant experience in working directly with children in education with a focus on safeguarding and child protection. You will further have experience of multi-agency working across social care, education and wider agencies. You will have excellent interpersonal skills able to develop and maintain productive relationships both within and outside the service.
This role is situated across Family Help and Care, and Families, Quality and Commissioning and day to day responsibilities will be outlined by the respective Group Managers in Child Protection Teams and Adolescent Protection Teams, however direct Line Management will be provided by the Safeguarding and Inclusion Manager.
Location
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
The recruitment process is anonymous and we don't accept CV's.
- please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact - , or
Please click to view the and Person Specification
Salary
57,495 - 59,574 per annum (PO6)
N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, , which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email and an advisor will be in touch with you.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Let's stay connected, follow us on social media:

Skills Required