Partnership Manager (Safeguarding Children Partnership) – 6 Month Contract

Location: Greenwich, London
Rate: £37.43 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: 6 Month Contract
Hours: Full Time
DBS: Standard DBS Required
Pay: Bi-Weekly

Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Partnership Manager to lead the Safeguarding Children Partnership (SCP) and the Children's and Young People's Partnership. This pivotal role involves overseeing the strategic leadership, governance, and performance of multi-agency safeguarding partnerships. The successful candidate will collaborate with statutory partners, senior leaders, and the Independent Chair to advance partnership priorities, strategic planning, and continuous improvement in children's safeguarding services. This position demands a professional with deep safeguarding expertise, strong leadership skills, and experience in senior-level multi-agency environments.

About the Role

As the Partnership Manager, you will spearhead efforts to enhance safeguarding partnerships, fostering effective collaboration among key agencies and stakeholders to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. Reporting to the Head of Partnerships, Policy, Research and Planning, you will manage the partnership business unit, oversee budgets, and provide strategic leadership in safeguarding, governance, communications, performance, and service improvement. You will also report regularly to senior statutory partners and support the Independent Chair in ensuring partnership effectiveness and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding Children Partnership Leadership

• Oversee all aspects of the Safeguarding Children Partnership.
  
• Formulate and execute partnership business plans and strategic priorities.
  
• Ensure compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements.
  
• Enhance multi-agency safeguarding practices across partner organizations.
  
• Develop robust governance, scrutiny, and oversight frameworks.
  
• Lead delivery planning and track progress on safeguarding priorities.
  
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
  

Strategic Partnership Development

• Cultivate and maintain strong multi-agency relationships.
  
• Develop strategic partnerships across children's services and broader agencies.
  
• Assist statutory partners in achieving agreed safeguarding priorities.
  
• Represent the partnership at local, regional, and strategic forums.
  
• Ensure effective collaboration with:
  • Community Safety Partnerships
    
  • Prevent Partnerships
    
  • Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Partnerships
    
  • Health Partnerships
    
  • Children's Services Partnerships
    

Quality Assurance & Improvement

• Establish and implement comprehensive quality assurance frameworks.
  
• Lead performance monitoring and challenge processes in safeguarding.
  
• Oversee Rapid Reviews and safeguarding practice review processes.
  
• Evaluate the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
  
• Identify improvement areas and implement change initiatives.
  

Children's and Young People's Partnership

• Lead the development and execution of partnership priorities and action plans.
  
• Promote strategic alignment across children's partnerships.
  
• Enhance participation and engagement with children, young people, and families.
  
• Ensure children's and families' voices inform strategic decision-making.
  

Management Responsibilities

• Manage a team of up to 15 staff members.
  
• Oversee consultancy and contracted resource management.
  
• Lead, support, and develop staff performance and capabilities.
  
• Conduct supervision, investigations, hearings, and employee management.
  
• Manage partnership budgets and resources efficiently.
  
• Maintain business continuity and emergency planning arrangements.
  

Essential

Requirements

Requirements:

• Expert knowledge of children's safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
  
• Extensive experience in multi-agency safeguarding practice.
  
• Proven track record in leading strategic safeguarding partnerships.
  
• Experience reporting to senior executives, boards, and statutory partners.
  
• Strong background in partnership development and stakeholder management.
  
• Significant experience in people management.
  
• Experience managing teams and partnership budgets.
  
• Expertise in governance, quality assurance, and improvement programs.
  
• Strong analytical, communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
  
• Ability to operate effectively in complex partnership environments.
  

Desirable

• Previous experience managing or leading a Safeguarding Children Partnership.
  
• Experience at a senior leadership level, such as Head of Service, Service Manager, or Partnership Manager.
  
• Experience supporting Serious Incident Reviews, Rapid Reviews, and safeguarding practice reviews.
  
• Experience leading multi-agency training, communications, and engagement programs.
  
• Knowledge of local safeguarding partnership arrangements.
  

What's on Offer?

• £37.43 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• 6 Month Contract
  
• Full-Time Hours
  
• Standard DBS Required
  
• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
• Opportunity to lead and shape multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
  
• Strategic leadership role influencing outcomes for children, young people, and families.
  
• Collaborate with senior executives, statutory partners, and safeguarding leaders.
  
• Lead governance, performance, communications, and partnership improvement activities.
  
• Opportunity to drive safeguarding priorities and service improvement across a large Local Authority area.
  

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Partnership Manager, Safeguarding Partnership Manager, Children's Partnership Manager, Strategic Partnership Lead, Service Manager (Safeguarding), Head of Safeguarding, Head of Partnerships, Safeguarding Improvement Lead, or Senior Children's Services Manager.