Lead For Inspection Co-ordinator , Professional Standards & Audit

Children and Families is recognised as a service where social work can thrive, underpinned by a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion. We are committed to promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families, and to protecting them from neglect and abuse.

Working in partnership with others, we deliver early help, family support, and effective social work interventions that build resilience, remove barriers, and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future. The postholder will represent the function with a sound understanding of Children’s Services, building credible and influential relationships with senior leaders both internally and externally.

As the Lead for Inspection for Children’s Social Care, you will coordinate inspection activity and act as the organisation’s subject matter expert on the inspection framework and its requirements. Key responsibilities include coordinating the completion of Annexe A documentation, preparing and organising all aspects of Children and Families inspections, and acting as the primary liaison with Ofsted during inspections.

You will be highly organised, confident in working autonomously, and proactive in supporting activity that maintains an inspection-ready organisation. You will work closely with Directors, Senior Managers, and stakeholders to ensure all documentation, data, and preparatory work are in place to ensure we remain ‘Ofsted ready’.

This role sits within the Professional Standards & Audit Service and will also support the delivery of audit and quality assurance activity that interface with inspection.

Accountabilities

· Provide confident and effective coordination of large volumes of data and documentation as part of inspection preparation.

· Deliver timely, up-to-date knowledge, expertise, and guidance on statutory inspection frameworks for Children’s Social Care, aligned with Ofsted updates.

· Lead inspection planning meetings, set agendas, and track actions to ensure senior management are fully informed of progress.

· Engage confidently with senior managers to ensure they are prepared and responsive to inspection requirements and proactively highlight areas of strength and risk.

· Support in the preparation of frontline staff for inspection

· Oversee the progress of actions identified through inspection activity, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution

· Build strong relationships and provide support to partners preparing for Inspections.

· Maintain a key relationship and act as a conduit with the Ofsted Lead Inspector

· Coordinate and manage the ongoing delivery of the Inspection portfolio for Essex Children and Families.

· Lead the triangulation, analysis, and reporting of learning from inspection activity at local, regional, and national levels, including the development of bulletins, presentations, and workshop content.

· Support audit-related activities within the Professional Standards & Audit Service and contribute to wider quality assurance projects.

The Experience You Will Bring

· Educated to RQF Level 3 or equivalent through experience.

· Proven experience in project delivery or programme support.

· Skilled in coordinating large volumes of data; numerically literate with strong report-writing and organisational skills.

· Experience working within a large organisation, in a business-critical role.

· Experience of regulatory or inspection activity would be an advantage.

· Strong communicator with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels, including senior leadership; assertive and persuasive when needed.

· A proactive self-starter with sound judgement and decision-making skills, committed to delivering high-quality outcomes.

· Able to work flexibly and independently, adapting to changing priorities.

· Resilient under pressure, with the ability to respond calmly, quickly and effectively in a fast-paced environment.

The Successful Candidate Will Be

· A confident, proactive self-starter who works well independently.

· A resourceful problem solver, skilled at anticipating issues and developing innovative solutions seeking the support of key stakeholders where needed.

· Highly organised, with the ability to design and implement systems and processes to ensure inspection activity is well organised and tracked.

· Proficient in developing and working with spreadsheets and data tools.

· Experienced in leading on complex projects from start to finish.

· Comfortable engaging with senior managers, Members, inspectors, and external stakeholders, with strong influencing and negotiation skills.

· An excellent written communicator, capable of producing clear and engaging guidance, communications, and presentations.

· Able to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.

· Interested in national social work policy and its interface with inspection frameworks.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025 , Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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