Head of Governance and Compliance (DPO)

Bradford Children and Families Trust was established in April 2023 to enhance the quality and delivery of Children’s Services across our district. Our purpose is clear, to ensure that our promise to improve the lives of children and young people in Bradford becomes a reality. It’s a tough ask. It requires dedication, determination, and resilience – but under a new Chief Executive, Senior Leadership team and an unswerving drive to deliver the best outcomes, we are confident that we’ll achieve our ambition – and you, yours.

So, if you’re up for the Challenge we’d love to hear from you!

About The Role

As the Head of Governance and Compliance you will be accountable for the implementation and oversight of Trusts governance management activities. The role involves exercising strategic and operational leadership across all areas of complaints, governance in particular information governance and risk, by working collaboratively with Senior Leaders to help deliver on Trust vision of high-quality care and promote the welfare of children and families. You will also be required to work closely with the Trusts Caldicott Guardian, SIRO and Risk Lead to deliver robust governance arrangements.

The Head of Governance and Compliance will lead the development of robust Trust information governance policies and procedures in line with legislation and best practice, and ensure those standards are understood and adhered to, including spend efficiencies management and compliance.

As the Trusts Data Protection Officer, the post holder will pay a critical role in ensuring robust arrangements are in place to ensure the safety and security of personal information. As a subject matter expert for information governance, they will assist in the investigation of incidents and breaches of Data Protection and provide expert advice throughout the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

Trust Governance

• Developing the organisational governance framework for the Trust and support the delivery of the Trusts Organisational Effectiveness Plan in full.
• Ensure the scheme of delegation, spend efficiencies management and financial controls work are delivered to the highest standard and understood across the organisation.
• Implement a risk-based approach to internal audit processes and ensure the effective management of the internal audit contract and engagement of the organisation with the finding from the Internal Audits.

Information Governance

• Act in the capacity of Trust DPO and be responsible for:
• Ensuring that controllers and data subjects are informed about their data protection rights, obligations and responsibilities and raise awareness about them;
• Give advice and recommendations to trust staff about the interpretation or application of the data protection rules.
• Ensuring data protection compliance and help the organisation improve accountability in this respect.
• Overseeing effective management of queries or complaints on request to the Trust with regard to information governance data protection.
• Draw the Trust's attention to any failure to comply with the applicable data protection rules.
• Develop an Information Governance Strategy and detail any risk registers, action plans, priorities and develop and maintain Information Governance related strategies and policies.

Customer Care and Complaints

• Leads a team that promotes an effective Complaints process facilitating appropriate response to complaints and compliments in line with policies and statutory requirements.
• Provide strategic oversight and leadership of the Service and to provide strategic and operational leadership,
• Provide direction and specialist service expertise in the development and implementation of
• Develop policies relevant to the Customer Care Service.

Effective Development of the Team

• Provide line management of the Deputy DPO, Customer Care Manager and leadership oversight for their teams ensuring that the competencies of the teams are continuously improved and that the team keep up to date with current legislation.
• Oversee the team in the delivery of the Information Governance and Customer Care function.

About You

• Masters level qualification in a relevant field and/or equivalent experience.
• Hold a governance qualification e.g. ICSA or other relevant qualification or experience.
• Experience of working in a role with extensive focus on governance for over 5 years.
• Member of relevant professional body.
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development.
• Excellent presentation skills with ability to demonstrate and represent service to ELT, Council and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and articulate complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups verbally and in written documentation.

Benefits:

• Generous Employer Contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme
• Competitive salary and pay progression structure.
• Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
• Supportive carer and parental policies
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
• Supportive staff networks
• Access to Blue Light Card Discounts
• Professional development/support
• Career Progression
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement
• Flexible Working/Hybrid options subject to service need

Location: Bradford, Sir Henry Mitchell House / Hybrid Working