Vacancy -- Strategic Engagement Lead – Single Unified Safeguarding Review

Working for the Civil Service

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Vacancy Details

Health and Social Services Group
Safeguarding, Advocacy & Complaints Team
Grade 7 - £53,440 - £63,900
A starting salary of up to point 2 (£56,450) may be considered for candidates who demonstrate the essential skills, knowledge and experience to an exceptional level. Most Secondees will retain their current salary with their employers; Please see ‘Other Information’ below for Secondment terms.
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Other
Fixed Term Appointment / Secondment
2 years
Pan Wales
'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.
TBC

Purpose of Post:

The Single Unified Safeguarding Review (SUSR) process in Wales has been undertaken to:

  1. Build upon the good practice that emerged from the creation of the Adult Practice Review and Child Practice Review processes which replaced the former Serious Case Review guidance in April 2016. The Adult Practice Review and Child Practice Review processes were laid down in the Safeguarding Boards (Functions and Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2015[1] to enable a greater understanding of what happened during an incident and why it happened. The approach improves the understanding of impacts that actions of organisations and agencies had and whether different actions may have resulted in different outcomes for the child or adult at risk. The overall aim is to create a learning environment.
  2. Implement the findings of the 2018 academic review led by Professor Amanda Robinson (2018)[2] from Cardiff University and a Welsh Government practitioner’s review (2018)[3]. The reports analysed the existing safeguarding review landscape alongside a sample of Domestic Homicide Reviews, Adult Practice Reviews, Child Practice Reviews and Mental Health Homicide Reviews. These reports highlighted the need for co-ordination, collaboration, communication, and governance to be improved when conducting reviews in Wales. The reports made recommendations based on their findings which are reflected in the new processes of the SUSR system. The reports also exposed the complexity of devolved and non-devolved bodies undertaking reviews in isolation and in some cases without Welsh Government knowledge or involvement. This ultimately resulted in the recommendation for a single review process. 

Based on the above research, the SUSR process has been developed to strengthen the review landscape within Wales. The SUSR aims to:

  • create a single review process which incorporates a multi-agency approach where the criteria for one or more of the following reviews is met: Adult Practice Review; Child Practice Review; Domestic Homicide Review; Mental Health Homicide Review and Offensive Weapons Homicide Review.
  • create a national body that provides a co-ordination/operational role to oversee the end-to-end process (the SUSR Co-ordination Hub);
  • ensure that the governance agreed is in place and effective.
  • ensure that it shows clear linkages between regions and national bodies while respecting regional variations in arrangements; and
  • retain the final review report in a central repository (the Wales Safeguarding Repository) and facilitate pan-Wales training and local, regional, and national learning.

The SUSR is increasingly recognised as a strategic lever for government to achieve and improve upon its safeguarding agenda. The status of Welsh Government has been raised regarding its foresight, innovation and ambition to deliver such a unique process and therefore its influence and leadership role nationally and internationally has been enhanced.

The SUSR is now transforming into the implementation phase of its development. In order to ensure the ethos and reputation is sustained and fulfilled there is a need to ensure the strategic and tactical positioning of the SUSR is maintained in order to achieve its objectives.

Managing vital relationships more broadly with other governing bodies both regionally, nationally and internationally is essential to ensure the investment made by Welsh Government is shared and used more widely to safeguard communities.

This newly created post will provide strategic leadership with the successful post holder playing an "ambassadorial" role, advising and updating Welsh and UK Ministers, Chairs, CEOs, Boards, Executive Committees and Directors on key current emerging issues, long-term negotiation strategies and regional, national and international relationship management.


[1] The Safeguarding Boards (Functions and Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2015. Safeguarding Boards Regulations (2015)

[2] Robinson, A., Rees, A. and Dehaghani, R. (2018) ‘Findings from a thematic analysis of reviews into adult deaths in Wales: Domestic Homicide Reviews, Adult Practice Reviews and Mental Health Homicide Reviews’

[3] James, L. (2018) ‘Domestic Homicide Reviews in Wales: Illuminate the Past to Make the Future Safer’

Key tasks:

  • Talking Head for SUSR Regionally, Nationally and Internationally.
  • Representing Welsh Government and the SUSR at strategic stakeholder meetings and events.
  • Working collaboratively with senior partners to ensure ongoing delivery of the SUSR.
  • Promoting the work of Welsh Government and the SUSR.
  • Provide strategic link to Regional Safeguarding Board Chairs and Community Safety Chairs.
  • Where required or requested, present to regional, national and UK boards and meetings on the SUSR.
  • SUSR Representative at meetings with the National Independent Safeguarding Board.
  • Present to the Ministerial Board on SUSR findings, themes and escalated issues.
  • Member of the SUSR Strategy Group and Wales Safeguarding Repository (WSR) Board.
  • Strategic link to the Home Office Offensive Weapon Homicide Review (OWHR) Board as Welsh Government Representative.
  • Strategic link to the Home Office Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) and Quality Assurance Panel.
  • Provide advice and guidance to relevant boards on training and learning themes obtained from the WSR.
  • Provide support and advice to Reviewers and Panel members throughout the life of an SUSR.
  • Provide updates and information to relevant inspectorates where required.
  • Monitor SUSR recommendations and implementation on a nationwide basis.

Development opportunities:

Take a lead role within the Social Services division to implement a ground-breaking and innovative new model across Wales which will prevent future harm and ultimately save lives. Unparalleled opportunities to develop new skills – including working with and advising senior officials and Ministers, becoming involved in different areas of devolved and non-devolved government and working with a wide range of professional external stakeholders.

Closing Date:

16/06/2023, 16:00

Eligibility

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

Equality and Diversity

The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.

Disability Confident

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Welsh Language Requirements

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Desirable
Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
Can hold a basic conversation in Welsh
Can understand parts of a basic conversation
Can write basic messages on everyday topics

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

Competencies / Job Specific Criteria

Behaviours:

  • Changing and Improving – Consider the cumulative impact on own business area of implementing change (culture, structure, service and morale).
  • Delivering Value for Money - Balance policy aspiration and delivery, outline risk and benefits of different options to achieve value for money ensuring all submissions contain appropriate financial information. 
  • Collaborating and Partnering – Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on objectives and shared interests.  
  • Seeing the Big Picture – Anticipate economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to keep activity relevant and targeted. 

Job Specific Criteria:

  1. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others in a professional decision-making committee or forum, constructively contributing to discussions, negotiating between conflicting opinions and values and generating options to reach consensus.
  2. The ability to objectively and critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate evidence from diverse sources and identify key issues, learning and messages with the ability and confidence to deal with difficult situations sensitively.
  3. Professional curiosity with a drive for continuous learning, keeping updated with relevant legislative, policy and societal developments in the areas of safeguarding, homicide prevention, serious violence and public protection.

Assessment Process

There are 3 stages to the application and assessment process:

Stage 1 – Complete Online Application and submit a Personal Statement

Please upload your Personal Statement. We are particularly looking for you to demonstrate how you meet each of the Behaviours and Job Specific Criteria. You can find these in the Behaviours and Job Specific Criteria section of the advertisement.

  • Please note that we will be assessing your Personal Statement against all 4 Behaviours and 3 Job Specific criteria listed below. Ensure that your Personal Statement identifies how you meet these areas tested (approximately 300 words for each criterion).

 

Stage 2 – Sift of Personal Statement

All applicants’ Personal Statements will be assessed against the 4 Behaviours and 3 Job Specific criteria.

 

Stage 3 – Interview

Interviews date is TBC.

Your interview will be based on the Behaviours and Job Specific Criteria outlined in the sections of this advertisement.

As part of the interview, candidates will be required to do a 5-minute presentation; the topic will be sent along with the interview invitation. 

The Behaviours and Job Specific Criteria assessed at interview will be the same as those you have been asked to evidence in your Personal Statement.  

Other Information

  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
  • For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.
  • Appointments through this campaign will be on a Fixed Term Appointment basis, however, if you are already employed, a secondment from your existing employer can be considered. 
  • Existing Civil Servants are not eligible to apply on secondment.
  • A Secondee is required to remain employed by their current employer for the entire secondment period, retain their terms and conditions (as specified in the Employment Contract with their employer) and remain on their employers Pay Roll. The employer will then invoice the Welsh Government for the provision of the Secondee's Services on a quarterly arrears basis for actual salary (inc. Pension, NI etc.).
  • We anticipate that the majority of candidates who seek to secure a secondment through this opportunity will move laterally; as such they would be able to remain on the same pay they receive from their employer. It is only in exceptional cases, e.g. where a secondment opportunity would equate to a temporary promotion in terms of pay, that there may be flexibility. In this situation Welsh Government may be prepared for the Secondee to be paid at the minimum of the Pay Band for the Grade being appointed to, however, the Secondee’s employer would need to be in agreement with the terms of the appointment and the temporary increase in their employees pay for the period of the secondment.
safeguardingandadvocacy@gov.wales / safeguardingandadvocacy@llyw.cymru

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

For further information regarding the Welsh Government recruitment process, please see the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link).

When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

Grievance and Complaints

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.

This vacancy is closed to applications.