G6 Strategic Lead for Safeguarding
Disclosure & Barring Service
Apply before 10:00 am on Monday 30th September 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Strategy
Other
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
DBS was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 on 1 December 2012, operating from two sites, Liverpool and Darlington. We operate on behalf of government delivering Disclosure functions in England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and Barring functions for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We operate in the complex world of safeguarding alongside our multi agency partners. Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
We provide a service that enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make better informed, safer recruitment and other decisions. We do this by providing information to enable them to determine whether individuals are unsuitable or unable to undertake certain work, particularly with occupations involving regular contact with vulnerable groups, including children.
DBS has four strategic objectives and four cross-cutting strategic priorities:
Strategic objective one: Customer Experience
We will provide increased reliability, consistency, timeliness, and accessibility of service for
our customers, increasing quality and value for public money.
Strategic objective two: Technology
We will drive efficiencies and value for money across DBS and foster a culture of innovation
through a modern, stable, secure and accessible technology estate
Strategic objective three: Making a Difference
We will strengthen our reputation as a recognised and trusted provider of public services,
and as a source of specialist expertise who actively contributes to safeguarding across the
communities we serve.
Strategic objective four: Our People and Organisation
We will make DBS a modern workplace, with a talented and diverse workforce who are
empowered to do their jobs and to fulfil their public duty.
Our strategic priorities are as follows:
Quality - We will deliver the highest possible quality of products and services, to the highest
standard of practice and integrity.
Value for Money - We will achieve optimal value from how we work, where we work, and who we work with, for our customers and stakeholders.
Diversity and Inclusion - We will increase the diversity of our workforce, of the representation in our decision making and service offering, and the inclusiveness of our operations and the services we provide.
Sustainability and Wellbeing - We will look towards increased sustainability in the improvement of our products and services, and enhanced focus on the wellbeing of our people and customers.
Job description
Job Purpose:
The Lead for Safeguarding will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of safeguarding initiatives across DBS. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the post-holder will ensure DBS is assured of compliance with all safeguarding legislation and frameworks. Championing best practices they will work closely with the Strategy and Business Development Associate Director, contributing to enhancing the external profile of the DBS as a thought leader in safeguarding.
Key Responsibilities:
- To act as the principle safeguarding lead for the organisation, advising DBS Board, Committees and Strategic Leadership Team on safeguarding matters. Providing expert advice and guidance, contributing to the organisation’s external profile as a leading authority in safeguarding
- Develop and champion a vision for safeguarding within the DBS, positioning the organisation as a thought leader in the field. Influence policy development and ensure alignment with national safeguarding priorities.
- Lead on the development and delivery of the Quality Assurance Framework and Quality Account and the associated quality assurance aspects of safeguarding functions within the DBS, driving innovation and excellence.
- Check that the organisations risk register reflects safeguarding risks properly and ensures appropriate plans are in place to mitigate risk.
- Provide oversight and direction to the Safeguarding Quality Assurance Team and regional outreach team ensuring an effective service is delivered for DBS and external customers.
- Establish strategic partnerships with stakeholders to enhance safeguarding practices, raising the external profile of the DBS as a key collaborator in safeguarding initiatives. Represent the DBS at external forums and events.
- Keep abreast of current developments, case reviews and best practice in the areas of safeguarding both locally and nationally, customer services and child protection and to provide timely advice and guidance to colleagues in response to legislation, government guidance and research. This will inform and improve DBS policies, procedures and practice.
- To work with Strategic and Corporate Leadership Teams contributing to audit programmes that improve safeguarding practices considering the latest research.
- Contribute to strategic and operational development through the provision of specialist knowledge and expertise in relation to safeguarding
- Ensure a balanced perspective in the DBS internal processes, decision making and between our core safeguarding purpose and the rehabilitation of past offenders
- Ensure that the DBS safeguarding approach reflects equality, diversity and inclusion and understanding of the impact on people with protected characteristics
- As a member of the DBS wider Corporate Leadership Team, specifically contributing to development and delivery of business opportunities, organisational development, efficiency and value for money.
- Support DBS committees in making effective decisions and applying corporate governance, promoting and ensuring compliance with corporate and government standards and controls
- Contribute to the strategic direction of DBS, providing recommendations, through leadership and engaging with internal and external stakeholders
Corporate Duties:
- Support the Chief Executive Officer and Strategic Leadership Team, assisting them in their safeguarding responsibility in leading the organisation.
- Support the Chief Executive Officer and Strategic Leadership Team by engaging in and helping to drive change as required.
- Support the Chief Executive Officer and Strategic Leadership Team in their dealings with Board and its committees as required.
- Member of the DBS wider Corporate Management Team, specifically contributing to development and delivery of business opportunities, organisational development, and value for money.
Reporting:
- Chief Executive Officer
Key Relationships:
The post holder will be required to establish and maintain strong, positive and effective working relationships with key stakeholders including:
External
- DBS Partners
- DBS Stakeholders
- DBS Customers
- Other government departments
Internal
- DBS SLT
- DBS ADG
- Employee engagement and representative groups
- Strategy and Performance Directorate colleagues
- Operational Services Directorate colleagues
Person specification
Qualifications
- Degree level
Essential Experience
- Proven experience in a senior leadership role within a safeguarding capacity, preferably within a public sector or regulatory environment.
- In-depth knowledge of national safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels including Executive and Non-Executive Directors.
- Strong strategic acumen and excellent influencing and communication skills, with a track record of promoting thought leadership.
- A commitment to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace
- Commitment to staying updated on current trends, research, and best practices in safeguarding
- Strong experience of building and nurturing productive collaborative partnerships/relationships across a broad and complex landscape, commanding the confidence of internal and external stakeholders and partners.
- Experience of developing, coaching and leading other senior leaders to achieve collaboration and partnering objectives.
- Experience leader (beyond line management responsibility) to deliver successful large programmes of work within and beyond organisational boundaries.
Desirable
- Previous experience working at a senior level with relevant partners, e.g., NHS, academia, government, police, commercial suppliers.
Skills and Personal Qualities
- The ability to manage priorities, influence direction and articulate a clear vision of success, thinking strategically to support delivery of the DBS Strategy and safeguarding priorities.
- Strong communication, influencing and interpersonal skills, particularly with internal and external stakeholders leading to effective working relationships.
- The ability to negotiate difficult and controversial issues across organisational boundaries.
- A communication style and philosophy that promotes DBS values and instils a ‘can do’ culture throughout the organisation.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
The DBS offers a number of excellent benefits for its employees. These can include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Excellent maternity, paternity and adoption schemes (after a qualifying period)
- Commitment to the health and wellbeing of our employees
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Flexible working opportunities
- Eyecare voucher scheme
- Occupational Health Service including referrals for counselling and physiotherapy
- 24/7 Counselling and Wellbeing Service
- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
The DBS vision and purpose is to make people safer by being a visible, trusted and influential organisation, providing an outstanding quality of service to all our customers and partners, where our people understand the important safeguarding contributions they make and feel proud to work here. To do this, the DBS is committed to being an employer that is able to attract, develop, retain and engage diverse talent that is representative of the communities we serve, and to be an organisation providing outstanding service to all our existing and new customers, who are diverse and have a range of different needs. We want all our staff to be able to bring their ‘whole self’ to work.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the recruitment process the Disclosure & Barring Service will conduct an experience and behaviour based sift exercise and interview process.
To apply for this post, please provide a CV together with a suitability statement of no more than 500 words, outlining how your skills, experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the role, including all essential and desirable criteria, and the key responsibilities.
You will also be required to provide behaviour examples within the application form for the following behaviours:
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Should a large number of applications be received, the sift may be conducted using the CV and suitability statement only.
Candidates successful at the sift stage will be invited to attend an interview which will assess the following behaviours:
Leadership
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Communication and Influencing
Working Together
Developing Self and others
Managing a Quality Service
You will also be asked to deliver a presentation.
The following timetable outlines indicative dates. Please note, these dates may be subject to change without prior notice
Closing date: 10am Tuesday 30th September 2024
Sift: week commencing Tuesday 30th September
Interviews: TBC
Whilst we will endeavour to provide some flexibility with regards to dates wherever possible, it is unlikely that we will be able to offer an alternative date once an appointment has been scheduled.
Interview will take place via Microsoft Teams
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : DBSPeopleSupportTeam@dbs.gov.uk
- Email : DBSPeopleSupportTeam@dbs.gov.uk
- Telephone : DBSPeopleSupportTeam@dbs.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSPeopleSupportTeam@dbs.gov.uk
