R2R104016 - C-SPOC Education Lead - Permanent in Southend-on-Sea

Your New Organisation

Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role

Southend Council are looking to appoint a full-time, permanent C-SPOC Education Lead.

Acting as the lead education safeguarding professional within the Children’s Single Point of Contact (C-SPOC) and Multi-Agency Child Protection Team, the post holder will provide expert education insight to support robust, timely and child-centred safeguarding decision‑making.

They will build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of education providers and professionals across Southend. Ensuring education is fully integrated into multi‑agency assessments of risk, need and protection for children aged 0–18.

Working collaboratively within a multi‑agency teams, the post holder will gather, analyse and interpret education‑based information, apply safeguarding thresholds, and contribute to statutory child protection processes, including strategy discussions and section 47 enquiries.

The post holder will provide specialist educational insight into the child’s lived experience in education settings, including attendance, exclusion, behaviour, wellbeing and children missing education. Ensuring education is fully represented in child protection decision‑making.

Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on‑site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 3 days a week.

What you'll need to succeed

To be shortlisted for this position, it is essential that you hold a recognised education qualification at Level 6 or above, e.g. Qualified Teacher status.

Be able to evidence recent and relevant experience in safeguarding leadership in an education setting, for example Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), multi‑agency child protection.

Have demonstrable knowledge and application of key legislation and statutory guidance relevant to education and child protection, including:

• Working Together to safeguard Children
• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Children Act 1989 and 2004

Along with this, you must have proven experience of applying critical analysis, professional curiosity and sound judgement to assess complex safeguarding information, determine levels of risk, and present clear, defensible recommendations in multi‑agency contexts.

What you'll get in return

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief