At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide independent scrutiny and challenge to improve safeguarding services for children in Hull.
- Company: Hull Safeguarding Children Partnership, dedicated to child welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, excellent pension, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping safeguarding practices in your community.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in multi-agency working and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 110000 £ per year.
The Hull Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) wishes to appoint an independent Scrutineer to support the city’s work on national reforms. The purpose of the role is to consider and assess:
- The effectiveness of multi-agency family help and safeguarding services in promoting the welfare of all children in Hull
- The extent to which safeguarding partners are providing strong leadership to successfully comply with the Department of Education Reforms Family First Partnership Programme (FFP)
The independent scrutineer will be someone who can provide insight, challenge, independent views and scrutiny of the effectiveness of our children safeguarding arrangements, ensuring that we are developing and embedding practice across the partnership aligned to the Governments Families First Partnership Programme in Hull.
The core responsibility of this role is to provide independent challenge, enquiry, and investigation to assist the Partnership in fulfilling the requirements of the Family First Partnership Programme, whilst continuing to meet the statutory responsibilities under the Children Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026. The Scrutineer will work across the Hull partnership providing reports, observing practice, commenting on quality assurance and performance, and evaluating the effectiveness of the test and learn approach of the work under the Family First Partnership programme. The Independent Scrutineer will offer rigorous scrutiny and constructive feedback to ensure our approach not only reflects the principles of the Families First Partnership Programme but also delivers meaningful and positive impact and outcomes for children and families across Hull.
You will perform Office Holder duties and IR35 rules do not apply to this appointment. Salary - £550 per day (Inclusive of expenses).
Main Responsibilities:
- Provide independent scrutiny of HSCP and their approach to the principles of Family First Partnership Programme.
- Act as a critical friend, offering constructive challenge and assurance to safeguarding partners.
- Ensure compliance with statutory duties outlined in Working Together 2026.
- Champion the voice of children and families in the work undertaken.
- Produce reports and recommendations for the Executive to support continuous improvement.
- Support the partnership’s continued development and evolution during a period of change for all partners and collaborating with other scrutiny processes where appropriate.
- Develop relationships with all partners to retain sufficient independence.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Be experienced at a senior level for at least five years and skilled in multi-agency working.
- Have strong analytical and evaluation skills.
- Able to provide independent, objective challenge.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- Commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
To apply please submit your CV, demonstrating your skills, knowledge and experience for this post. Please ensure that referee details are contained within your CV or covering letter. Please can all CVs be sent to Kerrie.Lammiman@hullcc.gov.uk.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Alexandra Campbell, Strategic Lead, Hull City Council on alexandra.campbell@hullcc.gov.uk.
Benefits of Working for Hull City Council:
- A competitive salary
- An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off, one in May/August and one during the Christmas/New Year period
- Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
- Supportive and forward-thinking culture
- Great career development opportunities
We are committed to increasing the diversity, equality, and inclusion within our workforce to represent the people we serve and build an environment in which everyone can feel like they belong. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Online searches, including social media, may be carried out as part of the recruitment process.
Office Holder - Independent Scrutineer employer: Hull City Council
The Hull Safeguarding Children Partnership is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and forward-thinking culture that prioritises the welfare of children and families in Hull. With competitive compensation, excellent pension benefits, and ample opportunities for career development through various training courses, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. Join us in championing the voice of children and families, and be part of a dedicated team committed to continuous improvement and positive outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Office Holder - Independent Scrutineer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Hull Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) inside out. Familiarise yourself with their work, values, and the Family First Partnership Programme. This will help you speak their language during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former members of HSCP or similar organisations. Ask them about their experiences and insights. This can give you a leg up in understanding what they’re really looking for in an independent scrutineer.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some thoughtful questions for your interview. Think about the challenges HSCP faces and how you can contribute to overcoming them. This shows that you’re not just there to take a job, but to actively engage and improve their processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help.
We think you need these skills to ace Office Holder - Independent Scrutineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Independent Scrutineer. Highlight your experience in multi-agency working and any relevant analytical skills that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your previous roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've provided independent challenge and improved outcomes for children and families.
Keep It Professional:While we love a friendly tone, ensure your application maintains a professional vibe. Use clear language and structure your CV well so it’s easy for the hiring team to read.
Submit Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hull City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the Family First Partnership Programme and the statutory duties outlined in Working Together 2026. Brush up on the latest reforms and how they impact safeguarding practices. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to provide independent scrutiny.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in multi-agency working and how you've provided independent challenge in past roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your analytical and evaluation skills, as well as your ability to influence and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
✨Be a Critical Friend
During the interview, emphasise your approach as a 'critical friend'. Highlight how you can offer constructive feedback while maintaining independence. This role requires a balance of support and challenge, so be ready to discuss how you would navigate this dynamic.
✨Engage with the Panel
Don’t forget to engage with the interview panel! Ask insightful questions about their current challenges and how they envision the role of the Independent Scrutineer. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if the partnership aligns with your values and goals.
