At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding practices and support practitioners in making informed decisions.
- Company: Suffolk County Council, committed to diversity and community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, health perks, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in Social Work or Occupational Therapy with relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 48163 - 48163 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Post 1: Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 OEQ (Hybrid working) Post 2: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU (Hybrid working)
Salary: ÂŁ48,163 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week, with flexible working options available
Contract: Permanent
Responsibilities
- Provide trusted advice and professional leadership on complex safeguarding concerns, supporting practitioners to think clearly about risk while keeping people at the centre of decision‑making.
- Review practice through quality assurance activity, turning learning into clear improvements that strengthen consistency and impact.
- Lead learning sessions and workshops, supporting professional curiosity, confidence and strengths‑based practice.
- Advise on self‑neglect, defendable risk decisions and contribute to CQC assurance, always focusing on improving people’s experiences and outcomes.
- Build shared ownership of safeguarding with colleagues, partners and providers, fostering a culture of openness and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Professional qualification in Social Work (Social Work England) or Occupational Therapy (HCPC), with evidence of ongoing continuous professional development.
- Significant post‑qualification experience, including direct adult safeguarding work and complex cases involving risk and vulnerability.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding best practice, with the ability to make sound, defensible decisions.
- Proven experience providing expert advice, professional leadership and supervision to improve practice.
- Experience of quality assurance, practice development or service improvement, using learning, data or audit activity to drive change.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including influencing, supporting others, leading learning or training, and embedding good safeguarding practice.
- Ability to work collaboratively with partners, including health, commissioning and independent sector providers.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently.
- Strong commitment to person‑centred practice, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Suffolk County Council’s values.
Benefits
- Up to 29 days annual leave, plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days.
- Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits.
- Performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase.
- Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge.
- A variety of career development opportunities across the organisation.
- Flexible working options with the right to request from the first day.
We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently under‑represented in the organisation, and we celebrate diversity through our workforce equality commitments.
Safeguarding Practice Lead in Lowestoft employer: Suffolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Practice Lead in Lowestoft
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the safeguarding field, attend relevant events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to safeguarding practices. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your achievements in safeguarding, including any workshops you've led or improvements you've implemented. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your commitment to best practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference in safeguarding.
We think you need these skills to ace Safeguarding Practice Lead in Lowestoft
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Safeguarding Practice Lead. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your qualifications; share specific examples of your work in safeguarding and how you've made a difference. We want to see your leadership skills in action, so tell us about those complex cases you've handled.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when discussing complex information. Make it easy for us to see your strengths and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to explore more about us and our values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest legislation and best practices in safeguarding. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in your previous roles, especially when it comes to complex cases and risk management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in providing professional leadership and supervision. Think about times when you've influenced others or led training sessions, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Emphasise Person-Centred Practice
Be prepared to discuss how you keep individuals at the centre of decision-making. Share specific instances where you've advocated for clients' needs and how you've fostered a culture of openness and continuous improvement in your teams.
✨Practice Clear Communication
Since you'll need to present complex information clearly, practice explaining safeguarding concepts in simple terms. This will help you demonstrate your communication skills and ensure you can convey your ideas effectively during the interview.