National Referral Mechanism Officer - 12m FTC

The National Referral Mechanism is a vital framework designed to identify and support victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. NRMs play a crucial role in ensuring that children who are at risk or who have experienced exploitation receive the appropriate protection and assistance. The primary objective of NRMs is to streamline and coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders, such as law enforcement agencies, social services, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other relevant bodies, to provide a comprehensive response to human trafficking and modern slavery and ensure the safeguarding of the child.

The context in which NRMs operate is often complex and multifaceted. Human trafficking and modern slavery are crimes that can have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the individuals directly involved but also their families, communities, and societies at large. The victims of these crimes are often vulnerable individuals who may be subjected to physical and psychological abuse, forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of coercion. The hidden nature of these crimes makes it challenging to identify victims and provide them with the necessary support.

The National Referral Mechanism identifies and protects victims of exploitation, including children at risk. This role will support the coordination of Birmingham's Devolved Home Office NRM Decision-making process for children including organising and facilitation of the Panel's operations, and logging referrals. Support will also be provided to the NRM Coordinator to gather and prepare necessary information for presentation at Panel.

We have been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following a 2023 inspection. This is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham Children's Trust, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.

(Please not that this role is a 12 month fixed term contract)

About you:

• Supporting to coordination and development of the Trust Devolved Decision-Making Pilot in conjunction with Home Office guidance.
• Working in multi-agency partnership to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people at risk, escalating concerns where required.
• Ensuring proper documentation supports the NRM Panel’s operations and aligns with Home Office guidance, including referrals, templates, minutes, and required reporting.
• Maintaining a tracking system for NRM Panel cases, ensuring warning markers are updated or removed in line with procedural requirements on Eclipse.
• Assisting in generating accurate, timely performance data for the Home Office and Steering Board while maintaining databases and performing analysis for reporting.
• Providing guidance to a range of agencies and organisations regarding the NRM process and the targeting and exploitation of children.
• Organising training to ensure Trust staff understand NRM processes and associated legislation to support increased quality and rate of referrals.
• Assisting in completion of budget reporting to Home Office.

This is a hybrid role based in Birmingham so you must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and have the correct right-to-work documents to work in the UK. Sadly, we do not support those who require sponsorship.

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the job early should we reach the required number of applications, therefore please ensure you submit your application and supporting statement early to avoid any disappointment.