Lay Member

Recruiter: West Sussex Children Safeguarding Partnership   

Salary:  Voluntary role, expenses such as travel costs and subsistence reimbursed

Location: West Sussex

Term: 2 years with annual review

As part of the 2023-26 Business Plan, WSSCP is seeking new Lay Members to further strengthen independent scrutiny of the WSSCP activities via a range of independent community voices. They work with children, families, and young people to help ensure every person is supported to achieve their potential. They develop best practices and strengthen safeguarding culture in West Sussex to afford everyone the opportunity to be confident they will be supported and strive to improve outcomes for our children and families

Job Description:

The Lay Member of the Children Safeguarding Partnership plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children within the community. As a lay member, you will work collaboratively with other members of the partnership to oversee and monitor the effectiveness of safeguarding practices and policies.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provide a lay perspective on safeguarding issues and policies within the partnership.
2. Participate in meetings, discussions, and decision-making processes related to child protection and safeguarding.
3. Review and evaluate safeguarding practices and procedures to ensure they are in line with statutory requirements and best practices.
4. Advocate for the rights and interests of children and young people in safeguarding matters.
5. Contribute to the development and implementation of safeguarding training programs for professionals and volunteers working with children.
6. Collaborate with partner agencies, stakeholders, and community members to promote a culture of safeguarding and child protection.
7. Promoting early intervention and prevention strategies to address vulnerabilities and risk
8. Strengthening partnerships with local agencies and stakeholders to enhance collaboration and information sharing.
9. Membership of the WSSCP Board, sub-groups, internal and independent child practice reviews, offering independent assessment of improvement and assurance activities.

Essential

• Be a resident in West Sussex and not a current service user of Child Safeguarding Services commissioned within West Sussex.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of child protection policies, procedures, and legislation to effectively contribute to safeguarding initiatives
• Be able to communicate effectively, both verbal and written to engage with stakeholders, participate and challenge in meetings and provide input on safeguarding matters
• Ability to work collaboratively with other members of WSSCP
• Demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for children and their families
• Understanding of applying statutory guidance – Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Respect for confidentiality and the ability to handle sensitive information
• Commitment to improving safeguarding outcomes for children and young people
• Understanding diversity, equality and inclusion principles in ensuring safeguarding practices are culturally sensitive and inclusive.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing training and development to enhance knowledge and skills related to child safeguarding practices.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A strong commitment to promoting the welfare and safety of children.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of child protection legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Experience in a relevant field such as social work, education, healthcare, or community services is desirable but not essential.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in the community. If you are passionate about safeguarding and child protection, they encourage you to apply for the position of Lay Member, Children Safeguarding Partnership. Successful applicants will offer challenge and scrutiny to the WSSCP, particularly around public awareness and engagement helping us as a partnership to understand the concerns of families of West Sussex with safeguarding and support needs.

The Lay Members’ role is varied, bringing the local community voice to the Partnership; and ensuring that the WSSCP exercises its functions effectively, efficiently, and economically, with good governance and in accordance with the terms of its published constitution and Partnership arrangements.

Lay Members will be appointed following an interview process and subject to statutory checks and references, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Lay Members will be appointed to the WSSCP for a term of two years, with an annual review.  After this period, further work will be considered, subject to the review and the best interests of the WSSCP.

The role is a voluntary, with expenses such as travel costs and subsistence reimbursed if required.

Closing date – Closed

Interviews – Closed