Service Manager - LADO and Independent Chairs

Location: Cambridgeshire

About the Role

Opus People Solutions is delighted to be supporting Cambridgeshire County Council in the recruitment of an experienced Service Manager - LADO & Independent Chairs on an initial 12-month contract.

This is a key leadership role within the Quality Assurance and Practice Improvement Service, responsible for overseeing statutory safeguarding functions and ensuring the highest standards of practice across Child Protection and LADO services.

The successful candidate will provide operational leadership, professional supervision, quality assurance oversight and strategic direction, ensuring that services continue to meet statutory requirements and deliver positive outcomes for children and young people.

Location:

Scott House, Huntingdon / New Shire Hall, Alconbury
Working Pattern:
Hybrid working arrangements to be discussed
Rate: £500 per day (Umbrella)
Contract Length: 12 Months

Key Responsibilities

Line manage Child Protection Chairs and Local Authority Designated Officers

Provide regular supervision, support and professional development opportunities.

Ensure statutory responsibilities are fulfilled to a consistently high standard.

Maintain effective service delivery and provide leadership across the team.

Oversee all Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) requests.

Work closely with the Senior Business Officer to ensure ICPCs and Review Child Protection Conferences (RCPCs) are held within statutory timescales.

Support Child Protection Chairs in managing complex multi-agency conferences.

Promote high-quality, outcome-focused and SMART Child Protection Plans.

Identify and escalate areas of practice concern where appropriate, including escalation to senior leadership when required.

Maintain oversight of all LADO referrals.

Ensure appropriate threshold decisions are applied consistently.

Oversee multi-agency responses to allegations against professionals working with children.

Support effective safeguarding decision-making and risk management.

Chair Child Protection Conferences when required.

Chair LADO Allegation Management Meetings where necessary.

Respond to complaints, enquiries and Freedom of Information requests.

Ensure continuity of service delivery during periods of absence or increased demand.

Represent Cambridgeshire at MAPPA Level 3, CDOP and other strategic safeguarding forums.

Monitor and understand trends relating to Child Protection Plans and safeguarding referrals.

Analyse safeguarding data and performance information.

Prepare and present reports to senior leaders, panels and boards.

Identify emerging themes and contribute to service improvement initiatives.

About You

Significant experience within Children's Social Care and Safeguarding Services

Experience managing Child Protection Conference Chairs, Independent Chairs, IROs and/or LADOs

Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and Child Protection processes

Experience chairing complex multi-agency meetings and conferences

Excellent leadership, quality assurance and service improvement skills

Experience analysing performance data and presenting findings to senior stakeholders

The ability to build effective relationships across partner agencies and strategic boards

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. As this role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules

If you are an experienced Service Manager looking for your next interim leadership opportunity, we would welcome an application and the opportunity to discuss this role with you further