MOD Independent Defence Safeguarding Reviewer

Type of review Independent review of safeguarding arrangements across Defence

Role Member of a multidisciplinary review team

Estimated commitment Approximately 15 days over the three-month period

Daily rate £750 per day

Review timeframe Approximately 16 weeks from formal mobilisation

Overview

Join the multidisciplinary team supporting a review of safeguarding across the Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Defence is commissioning an independent review of safeguarding arrangements across Defence. This review will provide an authoritative assessment of safeguarding effectiveness, governance, accountability and organisational risk, helping to shape the future of safeguarding policy and practice across the whole force.

We are seeking recognised experts from a broad range of professional backgrounds to form a multidisciplinary review team. Working through defined evidence workstreams, the team will examine current arrangements and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen outcomes for children, adults at risk and other vulnerable groups across Defence.

Review architecture and governance Independent review team

A multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts will undertake the evidence gathering, analysis and drafting. Membership will be drawn from a broad range of professional backgrounds, including social work, education, health and policing.

Defence Steering Group

The review team will report to a wider Defence Steering Group. The Steering Group will provide strategic oversight, maintain coherence across the review, test emerging findings and support access to relevant Defence stakeholders.

Defined workstreams

The review scope will be divided into thematic workstreams. Each workstream will have a clear lead, evidence plan, outputs and milestones, with cross-cutting issues brought together through the Steering Group.

Reporting route

The Steering Group will report progress and emerging issues into the Directorate of Defence Safety and Support (DDSS). The final report, including findings, recommendations and options for future arrangements, will be presented to the Defence Safeguarding Board (DSB).

Review methodology

The review will use a structured, evidence-based methodology designed to provide both an organisation-wide assessment and sufficient depth in priority areas. The methodology will be agreed at mobilisation and will include:

• Mobilisation and scoping: Confirm the review questions, workstream boundaries, evidence requirements, stakeholder map, governance arrangements and quality assurance approach.
• Document and policy review: Examine relevant policy, governance, assurance, inspection, training and operational documentation.
• Data and trend analysis: Assess available quantitative and qualitative data to identify patterns, gaps, risk indicators and limitations in organisational evidence.
• Stakeholder engagement: Use interviews, focus groups and structured engagement with Defence personnel, safeguarding professionals, partner bodies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Case and process sampling: Test how policy and governance operate in practice through proportionate sampling of cases, pathways, decisions and assurance activity.
• Benchmarking: Compare Defence arrangements with relevant statutory, professional, inspection and cross-government frameworks, recognising the particular requirements of the Defence context.
• Synthesis and validation: Triangulate evidence across workstreams, test emerging findings through the Steering Group and identify systemic strengths, weaknesses, risks and dependencies.
• Reporting and recommendations: Produce clear findings, prioritised recommendations and practical options for future governance, assurance and operating models.

Indicative timetable

The review is expected to be delivered over approximately 16 weeks from formal mobilisation. The timetable will be confirmed with appointed members and may be refined to reflect evidence access and operational requirements.

Reviewers are expected to commit approximately 15 days over the three-month period, with the precise phasing of input agreed during mobilisation.

Confirm governance, scope, workstreams, methodology, evidence plan and stakeholder engagement programme.

2. Evidence gathering - weeks 3-8

Document and data review, stakeholder engagement, case and process sampling, and benchmarking across workstreams.

3. Analysis and testing - weeks 9-11

Triangulate evidence, identify cross-cutting themes and test emerging findings with the Defence Steering Group.

Develop draft findings, recommendations and options; undertake challenge and quality assurance.

Finalise the report for DDSS and presentation to the DSB, supported by an implementation-focused summary of priorities and dependencies.

The opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to influence safeguarding across one of the UK's largest and most complex organisations. The review will examine safeguarding policy, governance, assurance, workforce capability, social work provision, allegation management, offender management and the interface between safeguarding and policing.

Social work and child protection experts

Professionally qualified social workers with senior leadership experience in statutory safeguarding services, child protection, adult safeguarding and complex case management.

Education and children's services specialists

Individuals with senior experience in education safeguarding and multi-agency child protection processes.

Health and healthcare safeguarding specialists

Senior clinicians or healthcare safeguarding professionals with expertise in child and adult safeguarding, public health, mental health, safeguarding governance, safeguarding partnerships and clinical assurance.

Policing and public protection specialists

Experienced practitioners with expertise in public protection, safeguarding investigations, offender management, criminal justice and partnership working.

• Significant experience in safeguarding, public protection, social care, policing, inspection, assurance or organisational governance.
• Experience of undertaking complex reviews, investigations or organisational assessments.
• Ability to analyse and triangulate evidence and identify systemic strengths, weaknesses and risks.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and report-writing skills.
• Independence, objectivity and professional credibility.
• Experience working within complex multi-agency environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and deliver to agreed workstream milestones.
• A diagnostic assessment of current safeguarding arrangements.
• Identification of key strengths, risks and areas for improvement.
• Evidence-based and prioritised recommendations for reform.
• Options for future governance, assurance and operating models.
• A final report capable of informing Defence-wide policy and structural decisions.

This review provides a rare opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant piece of work with the potential to improve safeguarding outcomes, strengthen accountability and enhance public confidence across Defence.

If you are passionate about safeguarding, public protection and system improvement, we would welcome your interest in joining this important review team.

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