At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to make impactful decisions in safeguarding children and families.
- Company: Staffordshire Police, committed to innovative safeguarding practices.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a new model focused on early intervention and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape multi-agency safeguarding efforts and improve outcomes for vulnerable families.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and strong decision-making skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Lindum House, Stone
Department: Integrated Front Door (IFD), Public Protection Unit
Rank: F-Grade
Contract: Fixed‑term (12 months, with potential extension subject to funding and review)
About The Role
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to join Staffordshire Police as a Partnership Decision Team (PDT) Officer within the Integrated Front Door (IFD). This is a new and innovative role, forming part of the delivery of Staffordshire’s Families First Partnership Programme, designed to strengthen how we safeguard children and families through early, coordinated, and effective intervention. The PDT sits at the heart of the IFD, bringing together key partners including Children’s Social Care, Health, Education, and Police to support timely, proportionate, and defensible multi‑agency decision‑making.
As a PDT Officer, you will provide supervisory‑level professional decision‑making, acting as the police representative within a daily multi‑agency forum. The role focuses on early-stage and emerging risk, supporting decision‑making below the threshold for statutory Strategy Discussions or Section 47 enquiries, and at Family Help/early intervention level. You will work collaboratively with partners to assess risk, apply thresholds consistently, and ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time, helping to prevent escalation into statutory processes wherever possible.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Act as the designated police decision maker within the daily Partnership Decision Team for Staffordshire Children’s Services
- Contribute police insight, information, and professional judgement to multi‑agency safeguarding discussions
- Support decision‑making for cases where risk is emerging, cumulative, or unclear, particularly prior to statutory thresholds being met
- Support decision‑making at Family Help/early intervention level, ensuring appropriate and proportionate safeguarding responses
- Provide professional challenge and influence within multi‑agency forums
- Maintain line‑of‑sight oversight of safeguarding actions and support escalation where appropriate
- Support consistent application of safeguarding thresholds in line with guidance
- Contribute to quality assurance, audit, and learning activity
- Support service improvement, development, and evaluation of the PDT model
About You
We are seeking a confident and experienced individual who can operate at a supervisory decision‑making level within a complex and fast‑paced safeguarding environment.
You Will Have
- Experience within safeguarding, public protection, or vulnerability‑focused roles
- A strong understanding of risk assessment, safeguarding thresholds, and multi‑agency working
- The ability to exercise sound professional judgement, particularly where information may be incomplete or risk is emerging
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and support decision‑making across agencies
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess and interpret information from multiple sources
- Experience of working collaboratively within or alongside partner organisations
A working knowledge of Working Together to Safeguard Children and safeguarding frameworks is essential.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a new and evolving safeguarding model within the IFD
- Contribute directly to the delivery of the Families First Partnership Programme
- Influence and shape multi‑agency safeguarding practice at the front door
- Play a key role in early intervention and prevention, improving outcomes for children and families
- Be involved in future service development, with opportunities to support innovation and pilot activity
- Work within a genuinely collaborative multi‑agency environment
Additional Information
This is a time‑limited, externally funded post, operating as a proof of concept. The role is funded by Staffordshire Children’s Services, and will therefore focus on supporting safeguarding activity relating to children and families within Staffordshire at this stage. The role does not require warranted powers and is open to police staff applicants. The role focuses on professional decision‑making and partnership working, rather than investigation. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are supported in line with operational requirements.
Partnership Decision Team Officer in Stafford employer: Staffordshire Police
Staffordshire Police offers a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking team dedicated to safeguarding children and families through innovative multi-agency collaboration. Located in Lindum House, Stone, the role of Partnership Decision Team Officer provides a supportive work culture that values professional judgement and encourages employee growth through involvement in service development and early intervention initiatives. With flexible working arrangements and a focus on meaningful impact, this position is ideal for those looking to make a difference in their community while advancing their career in public protection.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partnership Decision Team Officer in Stafford
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Partnership Decision Team Officer in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Staffordshire Police
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Staffordshire Police.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Staffordshire Police that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
