Professional Lead for Safeguarding, MCA & DoL’s in Stoke-on-Trent

Directorate: Adult Social Care and All Age Commissioning

Section: Adult Social Care

Location: Civic Centre

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract type: Fixed Term until March 2029

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us: We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that's where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision. Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

The Role: Are you an experienced safeguarding professional looking to make a real difference? We are seeking a confident leader to oversee Adult Safeguarding, MCA, DoLS, provider safeguarding and quality assurance activity. You will lead on complex safeguarding concerns, provider quality issues and Large Scale Enquiries (LSEs), working closely with social care, health, police, CQC and care providers. You will support good practice, identify learning, provide professional guidance and help ensure adults receive safe, high quality care and support.

We're looking for someone with:

• Significant experience in Adult Safeguarding, MCA and DoLS.
• Experience of provider safeguarding and quality concerns.
• Strong leadership and decision making skills.
• Excellent partnership-working and communication skills.

In return, you'll join a supportive team, benefit from flexible working and have the opportunity to influence practice and improve outcomes for local people.

For an informal discussion please contact: gina.grimes@stoke.gov.uk

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Adult Safeguarding, MCA and DoLS Team, ensuring high quality and timely service delivery.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and oversight on complex safeguarding, MCA and DoLS matters.
• Oversee safeguarding concerns within commissioned services, including provider quality concerns and organisational abuse enquiries.
• Lead and coordinate Large Scale Enquiries (LSEs), ensuring robust safeguarding responses and multi agency working.
• Monitor performance, quality and outcomes, identifying learning and driving continuous improvement.
• Develop and support staff through supervision, quality assurance and workforce development initiatives.

About You:

• Qualified Social Worker (or equivalent professional qualification) with substantial experience in Adult Safeguarding, MCA and DoLS.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance and best practice, including the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Experience of managing complex safeguarding enquiries, provider concerns and quality issues within commissioned services.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with experience of supporting, supervising and developing staff.
• Able to analyse risk, performance and quality information to support decision making, service improvement and positive outcomes for adults with care and support needs.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme.
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes.

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here.

Pre-Employment Checks: Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

The Council will not accept any speculative CVs from employment agencies. No agency terms and conditions accompanying any such CVs will be accepted by the Council. Any unsolicited information sent by an employment agency will be treated as the property of the Council.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don't meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.