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Appointment details

Member (or equivalent) Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel - Paediatric health specialist

Summary

• Organisation: Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel
• Sponsor department: Department for Education
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Health and Social Care
• Skills: Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 10 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £400 per day
• Length of term: 4 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 8 September 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   2 August 2023

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 8 September 2023

3. Sifting date

   2 October 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   14 November 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

This recruitment exercise seeks to appoint a Panel member to succeed one of the current members with a health background from December 2023.

We intend for the person recruited to have a background in paediatrics. However, the Panel member will be appointed to fill the role as an individual acting in the public interest and not as a representative of their particular profession, employer or interest group.

The person recruited will need to understand the importance of listening to the voice and experience of the child in serious child safeguarding cases. 

The new Panel member will be supported during their initial period with the Panel by both the Chair and Panel Secretariat. This includes introductory conversations with the Chair and support from the Secretariat to understand Panel processes and procedures.

Introduction from the Minister

No public service is more important than safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare. Children are among our most vulnerable and need adults around them to take the right action when they are being abused or neglected.

When children are seriously injured or die as a result of abuse or neglect, it is vital that we learn from what happened. No child should suffer harm, abuse or neglect, and reducing this is the Panel’s primary focus. The Panel and I share an ongoing mission to deliver child safeguarding reform.

When a child dies, or is seriously harmed, it is important to review the practice of all agencies involved in the child and family’s life so we can reflect on what that practice tells us about the protection and support offered. Critically, through

systematic review, we can build a picture of child protection practice more generally, helping us identify key learning and focus on what needs to change.

Operational since June 2018, the Panel is accountable to me as Secretary of State for Education but has its own statutory powers, independent of Government and makes its own decisions. The Panel reviews all cases where children die or are seriously harmed and abuse or neglect is known or suspected, to see what learning can be drawn from them. It has power to commission national reviews of serious child safeguarding cases which they believe particularly complex or of national importance. Improvements identified by the Panel’s national reviews help those working with children to better safeguard and promote children’s welfare.

Further information on the Panel and its work can be found here. We hope you will consider being a part of its vital work.

Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP

Secretary of State for Education

Appointment description

Under the leadership of a Chair, Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (the Panel) members are responsible for looking at serious child safeguarding cases notified to the Panel to determine whether learning could be identified through further analysis or a national review. Responsibilities include leading reviews, supervising fieldwork, undertaking analysis and other activity supporting the Panel’s remit. Members are also responsible for supporting the dissemination of learning identified by the Panel to those involved in child safeguarding.

Key Responsibilities

• Drawing on your professional expertise and experience to contribute to Panel decisions and analysis of cases at bi-weekly Panel meetings.

• Ensuring the Panel’s reviews identify any improvements that should be made by safeguarding partners or others to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

• Leading Panel national reviews and other analytical activity supporting the Panel’s role and remit.

• Supporting the dissemination of learning identified by the Panel.

• Building and maintaining positive relationships with multi-agency safeguarding partners and practitioners so that up-to-date understanding of child safeguarding, and practice challenges informs your contribution to Panel debate and decisions.

• Providing a regional lead for safeguarding partners in an allocated region. This includes strategic engagement with safeguarding partners in the region, conversations about general or specific issues relating to the Panel’s work and, where appropriate, speaking at regional events.

Organisation description

The CSPRP is an independent panel commissioning reviews of serious child safeguarding cases. We want national and local reviews to focus on improving learning, professional practice and outcomes for children.

Board composition

The Panel currently consists of a Chair, the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families and nine other members from across those professions involved in child safeguarding.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

The Panel understands the value of having representation from the health sector to help it bring a multi-agency perspective to its work. The Panel is now specifically looking for a candidate from the health sector with a background in paediatrics.

Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria. In your application you should demonstrate clearly how you meet each of the following requirements of the post.

Essential criteria

• A clinical background in paediatrics with experience of working with both hospital and community-based services, with a good understanding of the impact of child maltreatment on children’s health and wellbeing.

• A strong understanding of: how the multi-agency child system operates; the realities and challenges clinicians face in recognising and responding to child maltreatment and working within a multi-agency framework; and, NHS management and commissioning structures.

• Strong interpersonal skills including: the ability and confidence to make and be accountable for impartial, effective and timely decisions drawing on professional experience and knowledge; ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others in a professional decision-making forum; excellent communication skills; and the ability to negotiate between conflicting opinions and values, generating options to reach consensus and deal with difficult situations sensitively.

• Understanding of and commitment to principles of evidence-informed practice and ability to critically analyse information and synthesise evidence about practice in order to take a strategic perspective on areas for improvement and change, locally and nationally.

• Strong leadership skills to drive forward individual strands of work from scoping through to communication of the final results.

Application and selection process

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 1700hrs Friday 25th August 2023.

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in on the ‘Apply for a public appointment’ website.

Once you are logged into your account click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on screen instructions. You can download the candidate information pack; this provides further details on the role and how to apply. To apply all candidates are required to provide.

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A completed supporting statement, demonstrating clearly how you meet each of the essential requirements of the post
• A Diversity Monitoring Form
• Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues.

Guidance on what to include in your CV/application and tips for applying can be found in the corresponding sections in the candidate information pack and on the public appointments website. Public appointments – Gov.UK

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

You will also be required to make a declaration related to standards in public life and ensuring public confidence in your application.

If you are unable to create an account and apply online or if you have any questions about the appointments process, please contact Mailbox.NationalReviewPanel@education.gov.uk

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The names of all appointable candidates are provided to Ministers. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

6. The Panel’s recommendations will be provided to Ministers in a report which details the assessment method used and the outcome of each interview. They will then be asked to agree on the candidate(s) who should be appointed.

7. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Shazia Hussain - Departmental Official - Director, Department for Education.

Annie Hudson - Representative of organisation - Chair of the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

Professor Andrew Rowland - Independent member - Officer for Child Protection (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health); Honorary Professor (Children’s Rights, Law and Advocacy) at the University of Salford; Consultant Paediatrician at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

James Thomas - Independent member - Corporate Director of Children and Culture for London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

None of the Advisory Assessment Panellists have any political activity to declare.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact Mailbox.NationalReviewPanel@education.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

Government departments are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2. These are:

1. SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends;
2. INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties;
3. OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit;
4. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
5. OPENNESS - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands;
6. HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest;
7. LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

You will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. If re-appointed, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on official business however these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon termination because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at PublicAppointments.DFE@education.gov.uk 

They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response, [and this appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments], you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk,Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website www.publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/complaints

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

The Department for Education follows GDPR guidelines on the handling and retention of your private data; the Department's privacy notice is attached.

Contact details

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel normally meets fortnightly, with meetings usually lasting between 10AM and 4PM. Meetings are normally virtual, with face to face meetings (London based) every 2 to 3 months. Panel members need sufficient available time to support preparing for and attending Panel meetings regularly.  

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Mailbox.NationalReviewPanel@education.gov.uk

Attachments

• CSPRP panel member - health - candidate pack

• DfE privacy notice