MASH Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 11,000 - 14,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced DBS

Barred List checks

Hybrid working

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking an safeguarding practitioner for a 12-month maternity cover with Northamptonshire Children's Trust’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. The role handles telephone and written referrals, gathering information to assess risk and advise referrers on next steps.

The post is 18.5 hours per week with a hybrid option depending on rota; Enhanced DBS and Barred List checks apply, and full employment history is required.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children, young people and families.
• Understanding of risk, vulnerability and family dynamics.
• Excellent communication with professionals, partner agencies and the public.
• Ability to collect, interpret and analyse complex information in a structured, proportionate way.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding legislation, guidance and boundaries.
• Working calmly and accurately under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong IT skills to record, retrieve and manage sensitive information.
• Team-focused, collaborative working in a multi-agency safeguarding setting.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding enquiries, handling telephone and written referrals from the public and professionals.
• Gather, analyse and collate information from multiple sources to build a clear picture of risk, vulnerability and need.
• Prioritise and progress contacts within MASH timescales and using RAG ratings.
• Provide high-quality advice, guidance and signposting to referrers.
• Work closely with Decision Makers and Team Managers, escalating urgent concerns and seeking guidance as required.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with data protection and safeguarding requirements.
• Provide clear feedback on case progress and outcomes to partner agencies and professionals.
• Operate confidently in a multi-agency setting, understanding how partner organisations work together to safeguard children.

Skills

Communication

Data analysis

Safeguarding knowledge

Stress management

IT skills

Teamwork

Job description

This 12-month maternity cover post sits in Northamptonshire Children's Trust's Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, the first point of contact for children's safeguarding concerns. The work centres on taking telephone and written referrals, gathering information from several sources to assess risk, and advising referrers on next steps. Working alongside health, education, police and social care colleagues, the 18.5-hour post has an option of hybrid working depending on rota. Enhanced DBS and a Barred List check apply, and a full employment history is required.

What the job involves

• Act as the first point of contact for children's safeguarding enquiries, handling telephone and written referrals from the public, professionals and partner agencies
• Gather, analyse and collate complex information from multiple sources to build a clear picture of risk, vulnerability and need
• Prioritise, accurately record and progress contacts within MASH timescales and RAG ratings
• Give high-quality advice, guidance and signposting so referrers receive timely, professional responses
• Work closely with Decision Makers and Team Managers, escalating urgent concerns and seeking guidance where required
• Maintain accurate, confidential and sensitive records in line with data protection and safeguarding requirements
• Provide clear feedback on case progress and outcomes to partner agencies and professionals
• Operate confidently in a multi-agency setting, understanding how partner organisations work together to safeguard children

What’s required

Experience

• Experience of working with children, young people and families
• Understanding of risk, vulnerability and family dynamics

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent communication with professionals, partner agencies and the public
• Ability to collect, interpret and analyse complex, sometimes conflicting information in a structured, proportionate way
• Sound understanding of safeguarding legislation, guidance and professional boundaries
• Working calmly and accurately under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Strong IT skills to record, retrieve and manage sensitive information
• Team-focused, collaborative working in a multi-agency safeguarding setting

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS certificate with Barred List check

Other

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Full employment history, including any gaps since leaving full-time education

What’s offered

• 28 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part time), rising by 5 days after 5 years
• Option to buy up to 25 days' annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme with life cover of 3 times salary from day one and ill-health pension protection
• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 counselling, legal advice and bereavement support
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers
• Flexible and family working arrangements, including enhanced maternity benefits
• Extensive learning, development and career development opportunities
• Subsidised town centre car parking