Policy and Partnerships Manager

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Are you an experienced policy, improvement and partnership professional with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people?

We are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Policy and Partnerships Manager to join our Strategy, Commissioning and Partnerships team. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving policy development, service improvement and partnership working across Children's Services.

You will lead and coordinate the work of the Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership (MSCP), ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and providing strategic support to a range of key boards and partnerships, including the Children's Trust Board, Corporate Parenting Board and SEND Governance Board.

The role will also have a key focus on:

• Supporting preparation for inspections and peer reviews, including Ofsted, SEND and JTAI inspections.
• Leading policy development and improvement activity across Children's Services.
• Managing complex partnership programmes and governance arrangements.
• Overseeing Children's Services responses to Subject Access Requests.
• Developing strong relationships with partners across health, education, police, voluntary sector and regional networks.
• Leading and developing a high-performing team and managing the MSCP budget.

We are looking for someone with significant experience of strategic policy development, partnership working and programme delivery within a local government or children's services environment. You will possess excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills, and be confident influencing senior stakeholders across complex multi-agency partnerships.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping services and safeguarding arrangements for children and young people in Merton.