Local Authority Designated Officer

What will your responsibilities be?

• Allegation Management: Lead and oversee the process for managing allegations against staff and volunteers who work with children, in line with "Working Together to Safeguard Children" and local procedures.
• Consultation & Advice: Provide high-quality expert advice and consultation to employers, voluntary organisations, and partner agencies regarding safeguarding concerns and safe recruitment.
• Professional Oversight: Monitor the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a fair and thorough investigation.
• Collaborative Working: Work closely with the Police, Social Care, and senior managers across various sectors (Education, Health, Faith groups) to coordinate a multi-agency response to allegations.
• Strategic Input: Contribute to the development of safeguarding practice and training across Lancashire to improve the safety and wellbeing of children.
• Meeting Leadership: Chair and lead multi-agency strategy meetings, ensuring clear documentation of decisions and required actions.

Qualifications & Experience:

To be successful in this role you must have, 

• Social Work England registration and a recognized Social Work qualification.
• Safeguarding Expertise: Significant experience in children’s safeguarding, with a specific, deep understanding of managing allegations against professionals.
• Professional Judgement: The ability to provide confident, sound professional judgement in complex and high-pressure situations.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to influence practice across a wide range of partner organisations.
• Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze complex information and identify necessary actions to mitigate risk to children.

Working Environment & Flexibility:

• Hybrid Model: This role offers a mix of office-based work at Lancashire House in Accrington and home working.
• Office Presence: You will be expected to work in the office at least 2 days a week.
• Team Culture: Join a supportive service that values collaboration and the continued development of safeguarding expertise.

Our Commitment:

• Safeguarding: Lancashire County Council is dedicated to protecting and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.
• Efficiency: Interviews for this position are being held ASAP to ensure continued service delivery.

Why Liquid Personnel?

•  Free DBS and compliance service
• Twice weekly payroll and ‘Faster Pay’ service, getting you paid more quickly
• Access to exclusive roles that aren’t available from other agencies
• Free access to Liquid’s exclusive social work training and CPD portal
• Your own dedicated consultant with extensive social work knowledge
• Access to a wide selection of social work positions across the UK
• “Refer a Friend” bonus – get £500 for each social worker you refer who we successfully place*
• “Find your own job” bonus – get £250 for bringing your own position to us *

Liquid Personnel is an equal opportunities employer. Liquid Personnel Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. * Terms and conditions apply to our bonus schemes.

Reasonable Adjustments:

If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support to you throughout the process and into your work placement.

We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents within the Red or Amber list of the Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England, based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List.

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