Job SummaryThe Department for Education's Families First Programme will deliver system-wide reform in children's safeguarding, in line with the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is committed to working with safeguarding partners to fully implement the programme. In collaboration with Manchester Local Authority Children's Social Care and Manchester Integrated Care Board, MFT has established the Families First Programme Operational Lead post to provide operational leadership and translate Families First priorities into effective operational delivery in the Multi Agency Child Protection Hubs and the Family Help workstreams.
Main Duties of the Job- Lead the operational scoping, design, testing and implementation of the NHS contribution to both the Multi Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT) and Family Help workstreams, acting as the named statutory healthcare professional for MFT within the MACPT structure.
- Pilot and test new ways of working for the NHS contribution to Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams and Family Help arrangements across Manchester localities.
About UsJoin Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Person SpecificationEssentialQualifications- NMC Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife with substantial post registration experience.
- 1st Level degree in nursing or health related subject.
- Evidence of relevant Safeguarding Children Qualification and/or looked after children/Young People Qualification
Experience- Evidence of significant direct safeguarding children/ Looked after Children experience at band 7 or above.
- Experience of delivering safeguarding supervision
- Significant experience in a senior clinical position with a proven ability to manage a team.
- Experience of contributing to LCSPRs and the subsequent action plans
- Experience of successfully managing the implementation of change
- Evidence of professional leadership, leading to innovation in practice
- Experience of policy development and implementation and delivery of education programmes in single and multi-agency setting
- Evidence of involvement in multi-agency safeguarding children/ looked after children/young people subgroups.
- Evidence and experience of implementing and coordinating safeguarding children's procedures within a multi-agency team.
- Skilled in multi-agency assessment and working together with partner agencies
- Experience of undertaking and contributing to single and multi-agency audit
- Awareness of issues affecting ethnic minority families and other socially excluded groups.
- In depth knowledge of children's health and development and the nature and impact of child maltreatment.
Skills- Expert knowledge of relevant legislation relating to safeguarding children and looking after children/young people.
- Expert knowledge of relevant legislation relating to the Families First Programme
- Evidence of current knowledge of local and national policies relating to safeguarding children and relevant professional and NHS policy initiatives
- Demonstrates in depth knowledge relevant to patterns of abuse and neglect.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to provide written and verbal reports for safeguarding children's procedures.
- Confidence to challenge appropriately in difficult situations.
- Well developed presentation skills
- Ability to analyse and critically evaluate information and record in a concise and accurate manner.
- The ability to practice as an expert practitioner in relation to safeguarding children.
- Effective organisational skills
- Ability to communicate across organisational boundaries.
- Completion of audits and reports within timescale
- Facilitation skills
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- IT skills, word processing / database skills
- Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise, work flexibly and to tight deadlines
Other- Credible, decisive and of high personal and professional integrity.
- Open-minded, treats colleagues with dignity and respect
- Capacity to work with staff at all levels
- Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour
- Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring check.
- Enthusiasm and inspiration
- Team player /leader
- I am willing to travel within the remit of the service delivery areas.
DesirableQualifications- Specialist Practitioner Public Health
- Master's degree or working towards
- Teaching qualification
Experience- Qualification in safeguarding supervision
- Safeguarding adults experience
Skills- IT skills relating to Power Point, Excel
Diversity Matters: MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application: Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we're proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone. Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive.Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 
