Head of Cross Government and Public Engagement Policy – Grooming Gangs Inquiry

The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs (IIGG or “the Inquiry”) was established under the Inquiries Act 2005 following Recommendation 2 of Baroness Louise Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (June 2025). The Inquiry will examine group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, with a mandate to understand what happened, why institutional failings allowed it to continue, and what must change to protect children in the future.The Inquiry is led by Baroness Anne Longfield CBE as Chair and supported by Panellists Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE. It has full statutory powers to compel evidence and call witnesses across institutional and geographical boundaries.

The Head of Cross Government and Public Engagement Policy is a senior leadership role at the centre of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs. The post holder will lead the Inquiry’s Private Office function, policy liaison and co-ordination, and external engagement, ensuring the Chair and senior leadership are supported with high‑quality advice, robust governance, and effective relationships across government, public bodies, devolved administrations, and external organisations.

This is an excellent opportunity for those seeking to develop core civil service policy experience within a high-profile Inquiry and would suit those looking to deliver a body of work with which to build on and seek future promotion.

This role combines strategic policy leadership with operational grip, acting as the Inquiry’s primary interface with the Home Office sponsor team and wider government, while also overseeing how external organisations engage with the Inquiry, including correspondence, commissioned advice, and engagement routes.

The post holder will operate with significant autonomy at Grade 6, shaping the Inquiry’s credibility, independence and effectiveness in a complex, high‑profile and sensitive environment.

Key Responsibilities

Public correspondence

Hold senior accountability for the handling and assurance of all public correspondence, ensuring clear frameworks for triage, escalation and handling of complex or high‑risk representations in line with the Inquiry’s statutory remit.

• Provide senior ownership of safeguarding arrangements linked to correspondence, ensuring effective routes are established for identifying, escalating and managing safeguarding concerns.
• Set the strategic approach to protecting staff wellbeing within the correspondence function, including mitigating risks of workplace trauma and compassion fatigue through appropriate operating models, oversight and access to support.

Stakeholder and external engagement

• Develop a public engagement policy to ensure that all public engagement and correspondence is delivered ensuring engagement approaches are proportionate, transparent, aligned with the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference, and within a trauma-informed approach.

Private Office leadership

• Establish and lead an effective Private Office function supporting the Chair, Secretary and Deputy Secretary by providing clear, timely and well‑judged advice, briefings and submissions to enable informed decision‑making and handling of meetings/engagement.

Cross‑government liaison

• Act as the primary policy liaison with the Home Office sponsor team and build effective working relationships with other Inquiries and arm’s‑length bodies and Devolved Administrations, ensuring appropriate engagement, information‑sharing and respect for devolution settlements.

Leadership and capability

• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team across Private Office, policy and engagement functions, setting clear strategic direction, role clarity and culture of professionalism, inclusivity and collaboration.

Line Management

This role requires effective line management of a small team (3-4 team members).

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working.

Training

The Inquiry will provide staff with training on Safeguarding and Trauma, as well as core corporate responsibilities.

Travel

The Inquiry will have offices in London and Leeds. However, regular travel will be required to London for face-to-face meetings/engagements, subject to business needs.

Fixed Term Appointment (FTA)/Loan

This post is being offered on a 12 months’ basis in order to complete a finite piece of work. Please refer to attached Candidate Information Pack.

The Inquiry timeline is 36 months, and the assignment may be extended subject to relevant approvals.

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