Assistant Team Manager Safeguarding Partnership Review

Role Overview
Assistant Team Manager – Safeguarding Partnerships
As Assistant Team Manager for Safeguarding Partnerships, my role focuses on providing strategic coordination, assurance, and improvement across multi‑agency safeguarding arrangements for children, young people and adults. I work at the interface between practice, partnership governance and strategic planning, ensuring that safeguarding activity is effective, evidence‑based and aligned with statutory duties.
The role combines leadership, partnership development and quality assurance, supporting system‑wide learning and improvement while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes and lived experience.
What My Role Includes on a Day‑to‑Day Basis
Strategic coordination and partnership working
Coordinating multi‑agency safeguarding partnerships, including statutory and voluntary sector partners.
Contributing to the development, refresh and delivery of partnership strategies, action plans and priorities.
Supporting partnership boards and groups through briefing papers, reports, performance updates and assurance summaries.
Acting as a link between operational practice and strategic governance to ensure learning informs decision‑making.
Safeguarding reviews, learning and improvement
Coordinating statutory safeguarding reviews (children and adults), including:
Triage and decision‑making against statutory criteria
Drafting rationales and panel papers
Commissioning independent reviewers and managing Expressions of Interest
Supporting the system to identify, analyse and embed learning from reviews, audits and thematic work.
Translating learning into clear actions and monitoring progress against agreed plans.
Promoting a learning culture that focuses on improvement rather than blame.
Quality assurance and performance oversight
Supporting the development and use of audit tools, self‑assessments and assurance frameworks.
Analysing qualitative and quantitative data to identify strengths, risks and areas for development.
Preparing RAG‑rated summaries, dashboards and narrative reports for senior leaders and boards.
Contributing to preparedness for inspections, peer reviews and external scrutiny.
Engagement, co‑production and communication
Supporting meaningful engagement with partners, practitioners, children, young people and families.
Helping to design and facilitate workshops, events and learning sessions that support co‑produced solutions.
Developing clear communications and guidance that are accessible, non‑blaming and partnership‑focused.
Working with communications teams to ensure safeguarding messages are clear and consistent.
Line management and workforce support
Line managing staff by providing supervision, guidance and professional development support.
Supporting reflective practice, learning from feedback and continuous improvement.
Contributing to workforce development through reflective discussions, feedback on training and practice improvement activity.
Operational flexibility and problem‑solving
Responding to emerging safeguarding issues, partnership challenges or urgent requests.
Supporting disengaged or under‑represented partners through tailored and relational approaches.
Balancing competing priorities while maintaining a focus on strategic outcomes and statutory responsibilities.

Southampton City Council has been highly supportive of my degree, providing encouragement, flexibility and practical support that has enabled me to balance academic study with my professional responsibilities.

Southampton City Council has provided a high level of support throughout my degree, including managerial encouragement, flexibility around workload and study commitments, and opportunities to apply academic learning directly within my role. in addition the apprenticeship network has enabled me to connect with colleagues across the council who are undertaking apprenticeship and this has developed a valued support network.

I have experienced considerable instability with tutors and resources. Not very impressed with this provider.

My project management qualification strengthens my ability to plan, govern and deliver complex safeguarding work effectively, improving decision‑making, partnership coordination and outcomes.

Yes

Southampton City Council is a great employer because it genuinely values its workforce and creates an environment where people are supported to grow, contribute and make a meaningful difference. The council demonstrates a strong commitment to professional development, actively encouraging learning and supporting staff to build skills that enhance both individual performance and organisational impact.
There is a clear culture of trust and flexibility, recognising the realities of balancing demanding roles with personal and professional development. Managers are approachable and supportive, creating space for reflective practice, honest discussion and continuous improvement. This enables staff to feel confident, valued and empowered in their roles.
Southampton City Council also fosters a strong sense of purpose. Employees are given opportunities to work collaboratively across services and with partners, contributing to work that positively impacts children, families and communities. The organisation’s emphasis on learning, inclusivity and partnership working makes it a rewarding place to work, where staff are supported not just to do their jobs well, but to develop and progress as professionals.