Job Introduction
As a Local Authority Designated Officer you will be at the heart of pushing for better outcomes and driving positive change for our children and young people in Milton Keynes. In this post you will develop and maintain knowledge and expertise in the management of allegations and serve as a resource for the team and wider service.
You will have oversight and management of all allegations (and other significant concerns) that are made by children and young people against adults who are in a position of trust. You will strive to ensure that all agencies comply with their statutory obligations to progress allegations effectively and in a timely way in line with relevant statute, regulation and guidance. You will expedite the progress of LADO cases and challenge any delays in the conclusion of enquiries and investigations.
The LADO service sits within the wider Safeguarding Team in Milton Keynes City Council, the LADO will report to the Head of Safeguarding.
As part of our commitment to safer recruitment local safeguarding checks will be carried out.
Main Responsibility
- To manage any safeguarding allegation against those who work/volunteer with children and young people and ensure the Local Authority is compliant with the responsibilities and functions laid out in relevant legislation and national and local policy and guidance relating to child protection.
- To ensure on behalf of the council that all children accessing services / activities within the Children’s work force in Milton Keynes are safeguarded and to promote safer practice and healthy cultures within the safer childcare workforce.
- To lead on reviewing and implement Allegations Management policy and practice in compliance with legislation, guidance and internal policies and procedures and leads on specialist aspects of the safeguarding process on behalf of the LA and MK Together.
- To operate a professional consultation service, providing advice and information to employers within Milton Keynes and relevant agencies regarding allegations management, safer recruitment and employment, and other specialist aspects of the child protection process.
- To maintain good working relationships with lead partner agencies and ensure fair but robust assessment of risk and sharing of information. There are clear recording mechanisms and quality assurance systems in place to enable dynamic assessment of workers and agencies.
- To ensure the voice of the child is an essential element within the assessment. All allegations need to consider various parties, there is a duty of care to the worker, an assessment of the structure and systems in place by the employer and ensuring the child & their family are able participant in the investigative process relating to allegations management.
- To lead and contribute to activities requiring expert knowledge and specialist skills such as training, service development, policies and procedures, projects and other tasks relating to child welfare and protection, on behalf of Children’s Social Care and wider partner agencies.
The Ideal Candidate
- DipSW, CQSW, Degree in social work. HCPC/Social work England up to date registration.
- Experience of chairing complex meetings, preferably to include making recommendations around suitability to practice. Comprehensive specialist knowledge of the safeguarding agenda for children.
- Experience of delivering and developing training across arrange of professional bodies such as police, youth justice, CSC and health.
- To possess good written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills with ability to question, challenge, solve problems and complete tasks within variable time frames.
- Management experience and / or qualification or equivalent with specialist and extensive theoretical, practical and procedural knowledge of safeguarding and childcare issues, legislation and policy and research.
- Good interpersonal, organisational and information management. Must be self-motivating and able to make difficult decisions and support staff in complex work.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%.
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years. (From April 2023 this will increase to 28, and 32 days after 5 years)
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
