Independent Scrutineer – South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Partnership

Independent Scrutineer – South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Partnership

Contract: Fixed Term (3 years) | Remuneration: £500 per full day / £250 per half day (all expenses included) | Time Commitment: Approx. 20 days per financial year | Location: Hybrid, with in-person attendance required for partnership meetings and events in South Tyneside.

About the Role

South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Partnership is seeking an experienced safeguarding professional to serve as our Independent Scrutineer. This pivotal role provides independent, rigorous, and reflective oversight of our multi‑agency safeguarding arrangements, ensuring they are effective, transparent, and continuously improving in line with statutory requirements (Section 16E of the Children Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023).

As Independent Scrutineer, you will act as a critical friend to the Partnership and Executive Board, providing support and challenge, testing the impact of safeguarding arrangements, and ensuring the voices of children and families are central to all we do.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a structured scrutiny programme aligned with strategic priorities and the Business Plan
• Produce high‑quality analytical reports, including quarterly findings and an annual review
• Engage directly with children, young people, families, and practitioners to ensure lived experiences shape policy and practice
• Offer constructive challenge and critical reflection to senior leaders across agencies
• Facilitate learning and review processes, including child safeguarding practice reviews and thematic audits
• Mediate and advise on inter‑agency disagreements, supporting resolution and shared accountability
• Contribute to inspection readiness and alignment with wider accountability frameworks (Ofsted, ILACS, CQC, JTAI, HMICFRS)

About You

You are an experienced safeguarding professional with strategic insight and a deep understanding of effective practice for children, young people, and families. You bring first‑hand experience of risk assessment, intervention, and decision‑making in multi‑agency contexts, and have the confidence to challenge and support senior leaders. Your independence of mind and commitment to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement are essential.

Essential Criteria

• Academic or professional qualification in social/health care, education, criminal justice, or legal discipline
• Strategic leadership experience within services working directly with children, young people, and families
• In‑depth understanding of statutory and policy frameworks underpinning safeguarding arrangements
• Proven experience of evaluating, auditing, and improving multi‑agency child safeguarding practice