Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance

Salary

£45,529 - £50,908 per annum

Type of vacancy

Permanent

Work pattern

Full Time

Hours per week

37

Work Base

Clayfields House Secure Unit, Stapleford, NG9 8GU

Working Arrangements

Office Based

Job Description / Person Specification

Head of Safeguarding & Quality Assurance JDPS.pdf – 188KB

Additional Documentation

Head of Safeguarding & Quality Assurance FAQs Aug 2026.pdf – 241KB Competency FrameworkTier 5

Number of posts

1

Interview date

18 November 2026 Closing Date 08 November 2026 23:55 The Children and Families Department takes a strengths-based approach to working with each other, children, young people and families, and our partner agencies. We call this 'Our Nottinghamshire Approach'. Watch the two minute animation to learn more.

Lead with purpose. Champion safeguarding. Help change young lives.

Make a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in the country.

At Clayfields House, we believe that positive change is possible for every child.

We are a secure children’s home providing 24/7 care, education, programme work and treatment for up to 20 young people aged 10–18. These young people are placed with us either on criminal grounds (remand or sentence) or on welfare grounds due to high-level risks to themselves. Many of the young people we support have highly complex needs, including chronic self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance misuse and experiences of trauma.

We are looking for an experienced and qualified social work professional to join our leadership team as Head of Safeguarding & Quality Assurance.

This is a key leadership role for someone who is passionate about safeguarding, committed to excellence and motivated to create lasting improvements in the lives of children and young people.

About the Role

As Head of Safeguarding & Quality Assurance, you will play a central role in ensuring that safeguarding, quality and continuous improvement are embedded across every aspect of our service.

Working closely with the Head of Service, Secure Accommodation and Strategic Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will provide leadership, professional challenge and oversight of safeguarding arrangements across Clayfields House.

You will work collaboratively with senior and middle leaders, including Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, as well as colleagues, partner agencies and external stakeholders.

Your role will be to ensure that safeguarding practice is proactive, effective and child-centred, while supporting the service to meet its regulatory responsibilities and continually improve the quality of care we provide.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Lead safeguarding and quality assurance processes across the service.

• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies to ensure best practice.

• Produce complex reports and policy documents relating to safeguarding and quality assurance.

• Support a trauma-informed, strength-based approach across the workforce.

• Ensure timely notifications of significant events to relevant stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

You will be a qualified social work practitioner with substantial experience in safeguarding children and young people and the confidence to operate at a leadership level.

You will bring:

• Proven experience of safeguarding and child protection practice.

• Experience working with quality assurance frameworks, particularly those related to child protection.

• Skilled in multidisciplinary working and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong ability to produce detailed reports and policy documents.

• Committed to promoting workforce values and trauma-informed practice.

• The resilience, judgement and emotional intelligence required to work effectively in a complex and demanding environment.

• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes and ensuring that every young person receives safe, compassionate and high-quality care.

Why join Clayfields House?

At Clayfields House, you will be part of a team that believes every young person has potential.

You will have the opportunity to use your professional expertise and leadership skills to influence safeguarding practice, strengthen quality and make a tangible difference to the experiences and outcomes of vulnerable young people.

As part of Nottinghamshire County Council, you’ll benefit from:

• A comprehensive induction programme to help you succeed in your role.

• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.

• Excellent opportunities for continuous learning, development and career progression.

• Generous annual leave entitlement above the statutory minimum.

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, with a 6.5% employer contribution.

Your leadership can make a difference

If you are an experienced social work professional with the leadership skills, safeguarding expertise and passion to help us deliver outstanding practice, we would love to hear from you.

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For an informal discussion about this opportunity please contact Paul Thomas on 01159932721 or by email paul.thomas2@nottscc.gov.uk.Appointment to this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Nottinghamshire County Council strives to ensure that it goes beyond the requirements of the Equalities Act and prides itself on being accredited as a Disability Confident Leader Organisation.

Under the Disability Confident scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme) we would like to ensure applicants with disabilities are offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for a job. Please let us know if this is something you would like to be considered for.

A job share scheme is available for all full-time posts: both permanent and temporary, unless otherwise stated.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks.

Nottinghamshire County Council strongly encourages applications from all candidates from different walks of life, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, religion, belief, pregnancy and maternity status, age or sexual orientation.