Help shape better outcomes for children and young people across North Yorkshire

Thank you for your interest in this role that encompasses responsibilities across two separate governance arrangements; the Executive Chair and Independent Scrutineer for the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP) Executive and the Independent Chair of the SEND & Alternative Provision Partnership Board.

North Yorkshire is a wonderful place to live and work, and we are ambitious for all children and young people who grow up here. We believe every child should be safe, healthy, included and supported to achieve their full potential. Where children, young people and families need help, we want them to receive the right support, at the right time, from the right people.

Across North Yorkshire, our Safeguarding and SEND partnerships bring together leaders from local government, health, police, education, and the voluntary and community sector to improve outcomes for children, young people and families. Through strong and effective partnerships, we strive to ensure children are protected from harm, have their needs identified early, and are given every opportunity to thrive.

We are seeking an outstanding individual to provide independent leadership, challenge and assurance across both the NYSCP and the SEND & Alternative Provision Partnership Board’s. This is a unique opportunity to influence strategic direction across safeguarding, inclusion, SEND and alternative provision at a time of significant national reform and local ambition.

As Executive Chair and Independent Scrutineer, you will play a vital role in helping us evaluate the effectiveness of our partnership arrangements, ensuring that statutory partners and wider agencies work together effectively to improve outcomes for children and young people. You will provide robust independent scrutiny, constructive challenge and strategic support, helping us maintain momentum, strengthen accountability and drive continuous improvement.

North Yorkshire has a strong track record of partnership working and a reputation for delivering high-quality services for children and families. Our Children's Services are nationally recognised, and we remain committed to learning, innovation and continual improvement. We welcome scrutiny and challenge as essential components of a healthy partnership system and recognise the value that an experienced and independent voice can bring.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant contribution across two strategically important partnerships, helping to shape practice, influence system leadership and ensure that the voices and experiences of children, young people and families remain at the heart of everything we do.

If you are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people, have the credibility to work effectively with senior leaders across complex systems, and can bring independence, insight and constructive challenge, I would be delighted to hear from you.

I look forward to receiving your application and learning how you can help us continue to strengthen our partnerships and improve the lives of children, young people and families across North Yorkshire.

El Mayhew
Corporate Director – Children and Young People's Service, North Yorkshire Council

On behalf of the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Executive and the SEND and AP Partnership Board.

Independent Scrutineer and Chair of Two Strategic Boards

This is a single appointment encompassing distinct responsibilities across two separate governance arrangements:
1. Chair and Independent Scrutineer of the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Executive; and
2. Independent Chair of the SEND & Alternative Provision Partnership Board.

The North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership and SEND and AP Partnership Board is looking for an outstanding leader with extensive experience of child protection and safeguarding children, and young people and SEND to take on the role of Executive Chair and Independent Scrutineer. You will ideally have experience of this at both an operational and strategic level. Whilst the partners are responsible for safeguarding and delivery of an effective and inclusive SEND and AP system, we require a chair who can credibly build partnerships within a safeguarding and SEND and AP agenda and professionally develop independent scrutiny.

With a successful track record at executive level, you will have an excellent knowledge and understanding of local and national safeguarding and SEND and AP agendas including Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and legislation and research underpinning this work. Strong communication skills are essential as you will be required to represent the NSYCP and SEND and AP Partnership Board locally, regionally and nationally, communicating effectively at all levels, being the ‘voice’ of the partnership. In addition, you will have experience of chairing complex professional and strategic meetings, a clear understanding of the ever-changing role of a local safeguarding and SEND partnership boards, excellent leadership skills, a proven ability to think strategically and the ability to resolve issues through negotiation.

Our NYSCP and SEND and AP Partnership has a wide representation and a high level of commitment from key statutory and third sector organisations in this large and rural county.

Period of Contract: Up to 4 years

Days: A minimum of 30 days per year (additional days to be negotiated to a maximum of 34).

Rates:   £600 per day

Location: Hybrid working with meetings held across North Yorkshire and occasional regional and national engagement.

Important Note: This role is categorised as an Office Holder, and will be appointed on a self-employed basis not employed, however to meet HMRC tax regulations payments for the completion of Office Holder duties will be processed via PAYE payroll with associated tax and national insurance deductions at source.

Help shape better outcomes for children and young people across North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is a remarkable place to live and work. As England's largest county, we are home to vibrant communities, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to be safe, happy healthy and feel the belong in their communities so that they can achieve their potential.

We are seeking an exceptional individual to provide independent leadership, scrutiny, challenge and assurance across both the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP) Executive and the North Yorkshire SEND & Alternative Provision (SEND/AP) Partnership Board.

This unique role combines the statutory independent scrutiny function required under Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 with the independent chairing of both the NYSCP Executive and the SEND & Alternative Provision Partnership Board. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring effective partnership governance, accountability and continuous improvement across safeguarding, inclusion, SEND and alternative provision.

North Yorkshire is a thriving county which adapts to a changing world and remains a special place to live and work. From its’ lively cities to pretty villages, rolling countryside and grand coastline, Yorkshire has so much to offer.

As a whole North Yorkshire offers a high standard of living working in a stunning location.

The natural beauty of the county is captured in its three areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Nature Reserves, stunning coastlines, scenic rural villages, vibrant cities and market towns. North Yorkshire really is a beautiful, thriving and special place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture. The county features significantly in the ten best places to live in the UK.

North Yorkshire is also one of the safest places to live in England and has extremely low crime rates.  In addition the county benefits from excellent road and rail links, with easy access via the east coast mainline, the A1(M) and A19. Leeds, York, Newcastle, Durham and Teesside are all easily commutable, and London/ Edinburgh just two hours away by train.

There are great employment opportunities for your family members along with a higher proportion of schools, which are good or outstanding compared to national figures.