At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the development of safeguarding policies and practices for children and families.
- Company: Join Derby City Council, dedicated to delivering top-notch services in the Midlands.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives through innovative safeguarding reforms.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 49282 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details:
- Job reference: 000012387
- Date posted: 28/07/2026
- Application closing date: 24/08/2026
- Working Pattern: Blank
- Salary FTE, Grade K, SCP 35–38: £46,142 - £49,282
- Contractual hours: 37
- Basis: Full time
- Job category/type: Social Care - Children
- Location: Kedleston Road Training Centre, 184 Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GT
- Hours: 37 hours a week, Monday - Friday
- Closing Date: 24/08/2026
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract, 12 months - Secondments considered (with prior Manager approval)
The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (DDSCP) brings together statutory and relevant partner agencies to safeguard children, strengthen multi-agency practice and promote the welfare of children and young people across Derby and Derbyshire. We are looking for a motivated and organised Policy Officer to support the DDSCP at a significant point of national and local change.
The Families First reforms are reshaping the way safeguarding partners work together to provide earlier, more joined-up help and protection for children and families. This includes the development of Family Help, strengthened multi-agency child protection arrangements, greater use of family networks and Family Group Decision Making, and system enablers such as effective information sharing, data collation, evidence-based practice and implementation support.
Responsible to the Partnership Manager, the post holder will support the development, review and implementation of multi-agency safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance. The role will help ensure local arrangements reflect statutory guidance, national reform expectations and the needs of children, families and practitioners across Derby and Derbyshire. This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of the integrated DDSCP business team and contribute to a wide-ranging programme of partnership improvement.
You will work closely with colleagues and partner agencies to translate national policy into clear local guidance, support consultation and engagement, and help partners prepare for and embed reform across the safeguarding system.
What We Offer:
- Flexible work/life balance scheme (depending on your role)
- Hybrid working (depending on your role)
- Modern office environment (depending on your job location)
- Continued professional development opportunities & career conversations
- 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years' service), plus bank holidays (depending on contract)
- Local Government Pension Scheme (depending on contract)
- Team Derby Rewards – retail and leisure discounts
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
- Cycle2Work Scheme & free cycle training
- Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Calendar and Support
- Access to our Equality Employee Networks – LGBTQ+, Disabled Employee Network & Carers and our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Employee Support Network and Neurodiversity Network
- Support for colleagues who are carers
In the role of DDSCP Policy Officer – Families First, here’s an example of what you’ll be doing to make an impact:
- Supporting the review and development of DDSCP multi-agency safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance
- Helping to align local guidance with Families First reform priorities, including Family Help, multi-agency child protection, family networks and Family Group Decision Making
- Working with partner agencies to gather feedback, support consultation and promote consistent implementation of policy, procedures and guidance changes
- Producing clear written briefings, summaries, templates and guidance for a multi-agency audience
- Supporting improvement activity linked to effective information sharing, front door arrangements, learning from reviews and evidence-based practice
About You:
- Safeguarding experience and a good understanding of safeguarding children arrangements, multi-agency working, and the responsibilities of statutory and relevant partner agencies
- The ability to interpret national guidance and translate complex information into accessible local policies, procedures and practice guidance
- Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
- Confidence working with a range of professionals and supporting partnership engagement, consultation and implementation activity
- The ability to organise workload, work on your own initiative and contribute positively as part of a busy partnership team
Interviews will be held on Friday 18th September in person at Kedleston Road Training Centre, 184 Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GT.
We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. We recruit for diversity and value difference. As many of our roles can now be home-based, we are able to offer more opportunities for people who need this facility. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. If you are a disabled person, you have the choice to apply under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme so long as you demonstrate that you meet the essential requirements for the job. We feel it is essential that we recruit a talented workforce that is as diverse as the community we work for. Please let us know of any individual requirements or reasonable adjustments you may have during the application, interview, or onboarding process and we’ll do all we can to help. We strongly believe in social understanding of disability and for us it’s all about removing barriers to equality.
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy or are having difficulty applying, please contact our Recruitment Team on 01332 640844 (Relay UK - 18001 01332 640 844) or at recruitmentteam@derby.gov.uk.
DDSCP Policy Officer - Families First employer: Derby City Council
Derby City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and professional growth. As a Tractor Driver/Gardener, you will benefit from a generous annual leave package, a local government pension scheme, and access to exclusive discounts through Team Derby Rewards, making it a rewarding place to build your career in grounds maintenance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DDSCP Policy Officer - Families First
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Derby City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Derby City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨Leverage Your Network
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We think you need these skills to ace DDSCP Policy Officer - Families First
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Derby City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Derby City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Derby City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
