Independent Chair

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX (Hybrid working)
• Salary: £700 per day, up to 3 days a month
• Hours: As and when required
• Contract: Casual
• Reference: 0824

At Suffolk County Council, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. As an Independent Chair for the Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board, you’ll work with colleagues, partners, and communities to build trust, share ideas, and deliver services that make a lasting impact.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your responsibilities

Help shape and strengthen adult safeguarding across Suffolk

We are seeking an experienced, Independent Chair to lead the Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB), a key statutory partnership responsible for ensuring that adults at risk of abuse and neglect are protected, supported and heard. 

We are looking for someone to provide strategic leadership across the multi-agency safeguarding system, working with senior leaders from local authority, health, police and partner organisations to drive improvement, challenge practice, and promote a culture of learning. Applicants are welcome from a range of professional backgrounds, including health, local government and policing.

About the role 

As Independent Chair, you will: 

• provide strong, effective leadership to the Board, ensuring delivery of its statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 
• lead Board Meetings, set direction, and oversee delivery of strategic priorities 
• champion a learning-focused, non-blaming culture, ensuring learning from Safeguarding Adults Reviews leads to meaningful system improvement
• ensure robust challenge and accountability across partner agencies 
• promote making Safeguarding personal, ensuring the voices of adults and families are central to all work
• act as a visible ambassador and spokesperson for safeguarding across Suffolk. 

You will hold the partnership to account while fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

What you will need

We are seeking a credible and experienced leader who:

• has significant experience at operational and strategic level in a relevant field 
• has excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and the wider safeguarding agenda
• is confident in providing constructive challenge and system-wide assurance
• brings a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• is passionate about improving outcomes for adults at risk of abuse and neglect.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application

About us

You would be joining an already well-established effective safeguarding partnership that is proud of the work undertaken to safeguard adults at risk of abuse and neglect.

The Independent Chair is accountable to the chief executive of the local authority as the lead body responsible for establishing Safeguarding Adults Boards. They will work closely with the Director of Social Services, and the Executive Safeguarding Leads for Health and Police. 

As the SSAB’s Independent Chair, you will work closely with the SSAB’s Business Unit, consisting of a Partnership Board Manager, Professional Advisor and Board Business Support Co-Ordinator. The Board works closely with Suffolk’s Safeguarding Service; a serviced committed to protecting people at risk of harm and abuse and ensuring people with lived experience are central to adult safeguarding every step of the way. 

What we will offer you

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Please contact Gareth Everton for a casual conversation. This can be organised by emailing [email protected]. 

How to apply

Please submit your completed Application Form (Word) by email to [email protected].

Closing date: 11:55 pm, 2 August 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 17 August 2026