Army - Allegations Threshold Officer

Defence Children Services (DCS) is a Defence delivery organisation, subordinated under Army Regional Command. HQ DCS is UK based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon and has forward deployed staff all over the world. DCS is responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings; provides advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.

The Specialist Support Service (DCS-SSS) is made up of individual teams with specific responsibility for activity that supports the education and care of children of Service and other entitled personnel. The service is led by the Assistant Head (Specialist Support Service). Teams in the Specialist Support Service work with the children, families and schools in DCS Schools and Settings, and support the education of UK Service children and families across the world. Specialist Support Service teams focus on Safeguarding, Overseas Education and Supportability, Special Educational Needs, Elective Home Education, Education Welfare and Social Work, Educational Psychology, Speech and Language, Education Advice for Service Families in the UK and other areas of Defence, Training, Assessment and Careers Education in support of Service Children. All activity is aimed to meet the needs of Service children and their families in respect of effective education and alleviating the challenges of mobility.

The Defence Allegation Designated Officer (DADO) Service is responsible for effective allegation management processes, in line with UK legislation and best practice, as far as is practicable overseas. The DADO Service is also responsible for the centralised recording of all safeguarding allegations relating to those working or volunteering in a position of trust with children, on behalf of Defence.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The post holder's key responsibilities and main duties are to:

• Provide initial information, advice and guidance about management of allegations to Commands and other service users across Defence.
• Provide advice and guidance and maintain a clear record of all data, enquiries or concerns relating to UK based allegations, in accordance with Defence policy for Information Management and with GDPR and DPA regulation.
• Maintain a register of all allegations against those who work or volunteer with those under 18, across Defence that have met UK LADO threshold for involvement.
• Work collaboratively with all partner agencies to promote and develop good practice for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people, ensuring that policy and procedures are in place, updated and implemented effectively.
• Establish, promote, develop and maintain good working relationships with UK safeguarding partners and Commands responsible for those in employment or training under 18 years of age.
• Support and advise Junior Entry Basic Training Establishments and colleges who deliver military training and personal development and education on low level concerns and allegations that do not meet UK LADO threshold.
• Lead on development of networks with local authorities and the National Local Authority Designed Officer (LADO) Network to bring best practice to Defence.
• Where required, attend allegation management strategy meetings, where an understanding of the Defence context is necessary to hold agencies to account for agreed actions.
• Establish, promote and develop strong working relationships with a range of Defence and non-Defence partners and stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness of the service through multi-agency collaboration.
• The post holder may be expected to undertake other duties appropriate and commensurate with their grade and the roles and responsibilities of the post, as required by their line manager.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service.
• Highly competitive pension scheme.
• Personal and professional development of skills.
• Alternative working patterns for many roles.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities.

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

The post holder will be required to hold the following essential knowledge and experience:

• Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation, practice, policy, procedures, regulations and guidance, specifically in relation to allegation management, child protection and keeping children safe in education.
• Demonstrable skills and ability to work under pressure to provide advice on risk management relating to UK allegations against those in a position of trust in any role with those 18 years or under.
• Evidence and experience of providing a quality service and applying effective analytical skills to foresee obstacles and make strategic decisions.
• Experience of managing conflict between different stakeholders, particularly where there may be different requirements and expectations.
• Ability to work independently, managing caseloads to ensure efficient and effective response to enquiries.
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to ensure the continued good team ethos.
• Authoritative and credible in dealings at all levels, with confidence to respectfully challenge and hold to account.
• Experience and substantial skills in working in an office environment, proficient use of IT (Word and Excel).

In addition:

• You will be able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills and contribute to the ongoing improvement of the Defence Allegations Management Service and its delivery to a range of partners.
• Knowledge and experience of safeguarding children and working in partnership with a range of agencies to keep children safe, particularly with education and social care professionals and police.
• You will demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and report writing skills.

Essential Qualifications:

• 2 A levels or NVQ3/4 or equivalent or substantial experience as a AO grade or above, with relevant MOD training.

At application, you will be assessed against experience and Behaviours:

• CV with full job history and qualifications.
• A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.

Making Effective Decisions

Working Together

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Further information:

Applications will be sifted using the success profiles that have been chosen for this campaign, but in the event of a high number of applications, the sift will be conducted on the lead Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions. When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed but these will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.