Strategic Lead - CYP Multiagency Escalation

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A health organization in England is looking for a Strategic Lead for the Children of Concern Pathway to spearhead a transformative pilot project. This leadership role involves shaping services for children and young people with complex emotional and behavioral needs, ensuring collaborative efforts among health, education, and social care sectors. Applicants should possess relevant professional qualifications and extensive experience in multi-agency leadership. A commitment to co-production and reducing health inequalities is essential.

Benefits

Equal opportunities employer

Inclusive workplace environment

Qualifications

• Professional qualification with current registration.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Experience with children and young people with complex mental health needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Children of Concern pilot.
• Ensure evidence-based trauma-informed practices.
• Chair multi-agency meetings to develop shared solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Client interaction

Analytical ability

Communication

Knowledge of safeguarding legislation

Education

Professional qualification (e.g. Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse)

Postgraduate qualification in leadership or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data tracking software

Job description

Job Overview

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead an innovative, system-wide pilot that will transform how children and young people with complex emotional, behavioural, and social needs are supported in South Staffordshire.

As Strategic Lead for the Children of Concern Pathway, you will bring together partners from health, social care, education, policing, and the voluntary sector to create a truly joined-up approach for our most vulnerable children. You will provide visible clinical leadership, ensure safe and effective practice, and shape the future of services by embedding learning from this pilot into long-term strategy.

We are looking for a resilient and dynamic leader who can think strategically, influence at a senior level, and remain grounded in the voices of children, young people and their families. This role offers the chance to make a tangible difference to the lives of children and shape the direction of multi-agency working across the region.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert clinical oversight to Phase 1 of the Children of Concern pilot, ensuring trauma-informed, evidence-based, and safe practice.
• Lead the design and implementation of new referral pathways, governance frameworks, and escalation processes to support coordinated care.
• Convene and chair multi-agency meetings, bringing together health, education, social care, police, and VCSE partners to develop shared solutions.
• Develop and test a prototype “register” for children of concern, ensuring effective monitoring, early identification, and proactive intervention.
• Champion the voices of children, young people, and families, embedding co-production in all aspects of service design.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on pilot progress to ICS governance structures, using learning to shape Phase 2 development.
• Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and support to staff, promoting best practice and building system-wide capacity.
• Represent the pathway at senior forums, influencing commissioning and resource decisions to address service gaps.
• Ensure safeguarding compliance, robust risk management, and strong clinical governance throughout the pilot.
• Drive forward innovation, equality, and inclusion in service delivery, ensuring all children receive the support they need to thrive.

Person specification

Qualifications And Training

• Professional qualification with current registration (e.g. Clinical/Counselling Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Family Therapist).
• Postgraduate qualification in leadership, systemic practice, or service development or demonstrate equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Experience

• Substantial post-qualification experience with CYP presenting with complex and high-risk mental health and social needs.
• Proven experience of leading multi-agency working at a senior level.
• Experience of service or pathway development.
• Experience of providing consultation, supervision, and training to professionals from different backgrounds.

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation and practice.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and negotiation skills across organisational boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presentation) with diverse audiences including CYP, families, and senior professionals.
• Analytical ability to evaluate complex data and translate findings into service improvements.
• Ability to chair and lead multi-agency forums effectively.
• Excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory frameworks, and thresholds across health, social care, education and police.
• IT skills, including use of electronic records, data tracking, and Microsoft Office/analytical tools.

Personal Attributes

• Resilient, adaptable, and confident in managing high levels of complexity and uncertainty
• Politically astute with ability to navigate system-level dynamics.
• Committed to co-production and inclusion of CYP and families in service development.
• Flexible and adaptable in response to changing service needs and priorities.
• Values-driven and committed to reducing health inequalities.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity.