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Independent Chair - Child Mortality Review Panel
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and compassionate professional to take on the role of Independent Chair for the Child Mortality Review Panel. This vital position plays a key role in overseeing the review process for child deaths, ensuring that statutory responsibilities are met and that valuable insights are gathered to help prevent future tragedies. The Chair will lead a multi-agency panel, working closely with health professionals, social care teams, and safeguarding partners to facilitate meaningful discussions and drive forward recommendations for improved child welfare policies and practices.
Time Commitment
This is a part-time role requiring approximately two days of work per month. The role includes attending and chairing monthly panel meetings, participating in quarterly Chair meetings, reviewing case reports, and contributing to relevant discussions at a regional and national level.
Key Responsibilities
The Chair will lead panel meetings with professionalism and sensitivity, ensuring that all reviews are conducted thoroughly and in line with statutory requirements. This includes working with public health experts to analyze emerging trends, identifying learning opportunities, and making evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice improvements. The role involves reviewing detailed case reports, coordinating with safeguarding partners, and ensuring that any cases involving potential abuse or neglect are appropriately escalated. The Chair will also oversee the production of an annual report summarizing key findings and contribute to regional and national discussions on child death review processes.
About You
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in safeguarding, public health, or social care, with experience at a strategic leadership level. You should have a deep understanding of child death review processes, data analysis, and multi-agency working. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will be required to facilitate complex discussions, challenge agency practices where necessary, and ensure that all panel members contribute effectively. An ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion is critical.
Working Arrangements
This is a limited part-time role, requiring a commitment of just two days per month. Meetings are held monthly, with additional quarterly Chair meetings, and training opportunities are available to support ongoing professional development. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, successful candidates must be prepared to undergo safer recruitment checks, including a criminal records check.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to safeguarding children at a strategic level, helping to shape policies and practices that will make a real difference in preventing avoidable child deaths.
