About the Role
Northampton Children's Trust is seeking an experienced and highly skilled MASH Decision Maker to join its Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the front door of Children's Services, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding children and ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.
Working within a fast-paced multi-agency environment, you will be responsible for reviewing contacts and referrals, analysing information from partner agencies, and making timely, evidence-based decisions to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Rate: £36 per hour (Umbrella)
Hours: 18.5 hours per week
Location: Northamptonshire Children's Trust, Criminal Justice Centre
Working Pattern: Hybrid working with 1 day per week in the office and 1.5 days working from home, subject to business needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality casework decision-making and operational oversight of incoming referrals.
- Make informed safeguarding decisions within required timescales, including decisions regarding child safety within 24 hours of referral.
- Gather, analyse, and evaluate information from partner agencies to assess risk and identify safeguarding concerns.
- Work closely with MASH partners to support effective threshold decisions and service interventions.
- Ensure the child's voice and lived experience are central to all decision-making.
- Offer professional advice and guidance to partner agencies, promoting best practice and positive outcomes.
- Support a strengths-based, relationship-focused approach to practice.
- Undertake clear risk analysis and contribute to effective safety planning for children and families.
- Demonstrate professional curiosity and critical thinking when assessing risk and need.
Skills/Experience
- Significant experience within Children's Social Care, with a strong background in safeguarding and child protection.
- Previous experience working within a MASH, Front Door, Assessment, Duty, or Child Protection team.
- Strong knowledge of referral screening, information gathering, risk assessment, and threshold decision-making.
- The ability to analyse complex information and make balanced, defensible decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working effectively within multi-agency settings and building strong professional relationships.
- Confidence in applying professional judgement and appropriately challenging where necessary to achieve the best outcomes for children.
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.
This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled practitioner who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and wants to make a real difference to the lives of children and families. You will join a supportive and collaborative service that places children at the heart of everything it does.
