Strategic Lead – Channel and Community Protection

Salary £57,447 - £62,132 per annum | Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week | Preston/Hybrid

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

We are seeking an exceptional leader to take on the pivotal role of Strategic Lead - Channel & Community Protection, providing leadership for Lancashire's statutory Channel arrangements and driving our approach to preventing radicalisation, exploitation and other emerging vulnerabilities.

This is a rare opportunity to lead work that has a direct impact on the safety, wellbeing and resilience of children, young people and adults across one of England's largest county councils.

About the Role

As Lancashire's designated lead officer for Channel, you will chair and lead the multi-agency Channel Panel, ensuring the effective governance, oversight and delivery of interventions that support individuals vulnerable to radicalisation.

Working across safeguarding partnerships, education, health, policing, district councils, the voluntary sector and community organisations, you will drive a proactive and preventative approach that strengthens communities and protects those most at risk.

This is a highly influential leadership role, requiring the ability to operate confidently with senior stakeholders, provide assurance to Executive Leadership Team members and elected members, and ensure Lancashire meets its statutory responsibilities under the Prevent Duty and Channel guidance.

What You'll Be Leading

- Strategic leadership of Lancashire's Prevent and Channel programmes.
- Chairing and overseeing the multi-agency Channel Panel.
- Developing innovative approaches to prevention, safeguarding and community resilience.
- Providing expert advice, challenge and assurance to senior leaders and partners.
- Driving performance, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
- Leading complex partnership working across local, regional and national agencies.
- Managing strategic risk, compliance and governance responsibilities.
- Developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of learning and excellence.

About You

We're looking for a credible and experienced leader who can bring together partners, influence decision-making and deliver positive outcomes in complex environments.

You will bring:

- Significant senior leadership experience in safeguarding, community safety, policing, public protection, education, local government or a related sector.
- Extensive knowledge of the Prevent Duty, Channel processes and safeguarding legislation.
- Experience of chairing complex multi-agency panels and managing high-risk decision making.
- A proven track record of leading change, service improvement and organisational development.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to analyse complex risk, intelligence and performance information and turn insight into action.

If you are an experienced strategic leader with a passion for safeguarding, prevention and partnership working, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Lancashire County Council and help build safer, stronger and more resilient communities across Lancashire.

Closing Date: 25/10/2026 Interview Date: w/c 02/11/2026

Why join us?

By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted.

In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:

- A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
- A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
- Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
- Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.

Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.

Job Description & Person Specification