Quality Assurance and Training Lead

Suffolk County Council

Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX - Hybrid

Salary: £42,123 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours:37 per week, flexible working options available

Contract: Permanent

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we are driven to make a positive difference to children, young people, families and communities across Suffolk. When you join us as our Quality Assurance and Training Lead, you will be at the heart of strengthening safeguarding practice - turning learning, evidence and the experiences of children and families into improvements that make a real and lasting difference.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will help the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Partnership understand the quality and impact of safeguarding practice across the system. Working with colleagues from across our partner agencies, you will coordinate and deliver quality assurance activity, identify learning and translate findings into engaging training, briefings and practical development opportunities.

You will bring insight, curiosity and constructive challenge to the role - supporting a culture where good practice is recognised, learning is shared and improvement is everyone’s business.

Day to day, you will

Plan, coordinate and contribute to multi-agency audits, reviews and other quality assurance activity.

Analyse evidence, performance information and feedback to identify strengths, themes, risks and areas for improvement.

Turn learning from audits, safeguarding reviews, inspections and national developments into clear, practical training and resources.

Design and facilitate engaging workshops, briefings and learning events for a wide range of professionals.

Produce high-quality reports and presentations for partnership boards, senior leaders and practitioners.

Track actions and evaluate whether learning is changing practice and improving outcomes.

Build trusted relationships across the partnership, promoting professional curiosity, constructive challenge and shared accountability.

Ensure the voices and experiences of children, young people and families inform quality assurance and learning.

You will need

Relevant professional qualification in social work, teaching, nursing, youth work, or related safeguarding profession

Experience of multi-agency working in child safeguarding practice

Strong knowledge of safeguarding practice, legislation, statutory guidance and multi-agency working

Experience of quality assurance, audit, evaluation, service improvement or practice development

The ability to analyse complex information, identify meaningful themes and communicate findings clearly

Experience of designing and delivering effective training, workshops or facilitated learning

Excellent written, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to influence and constructively challenge

The ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and collaborate effectively across organisational boundaries

A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Suffolk Safeguarding Children Partnership brings together local agencies to safeguard children and promote their wellbeing. This role sits within the Business Team, which supports, coordinates, scrutinises and quality-assures the work of the wider Partnership.

Working closely with professionals and senior leaders across the Council, Police, Health, Education and other partner organisations, you will help foster a collaborative culture of learning and improvement, ensuring children’s experiences and outcomes remain at the heart of everything we do.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can turn assurance into action by identifying key themes and insights, bringing partners together, and creating meaningful learning that supports and strengthens everyday professional practice.

The role is primarily based at Endeavour House or another Partnership location, with hybrid working available. You will be required to work from Partnership bases across Suffolk as needed, typically at least two days per week.

We will offer you

You will receive a comprehensive induction, regular supervision and opportunities for professional development. You will work alongside committed colleagues and senior leaders across a diverse safeguarding partnership, with the scope to influence practice at both operational and strategic levels.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Jo Stroud for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 264171 or emailing [email protected].

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

Tell us about a time when you led or contributed to a quality assurance or audit activity. What was your approach, what did you identify, and how did you use the findings to improve practice?

Give an example of when you identified themes, risks or areas for improvement from complex information, case reviews or performance data. How did you analyse the information and translate your findings into practical

recommendations?

Describe a time when you designed or delivered training, a workshop or another learning activity for professionals. How did you identify the learning need, adapt your approach to your audience and evaluate whether

the learning had made a difference?

Give an example of when you needed to challenge practice or raise a significant concern with professionals or senior leaders. How did you approach the conversation while maintaining constructive working relationships?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at [email protected] or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date:11.30pm, 10 November

Interview date: Week commencing 23 November.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), 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 our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
• Plus lots more!
• If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).