About this role
Lead Child Protection Practitioner
Make a direct impact on safeguarding practice in a senior statutory role focused on complex child protection decisions, multi-agency leadership and better outcomes for children and families. Applicants must be Social Work England registered with frontline statutory child protection experience.
If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Child Protection Chair, Child Protection Conference Chair, Independent Reviewing Officer, Advanced Social Work Practitioner, Senior Social Worker, Practice Supervisor, Social Work Team Manager, Child Protection Social Worker
SALARY: £50,801 - £54,684 per annum + Benefits
LOCATION: Matlock, Derbyshire, East Midlands
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Fixed Term Contract – Covering for secondment March 2028
WORKING HOURS: 37 Hours per Week
JOB OVERVIEW
This is an opportunity to shape safeguarding practice in an integrated multi-agency setting. The Lead Child Protection Practitioner will combine statutory decision-making with relationship-based practice and a strong focus on children’s voices.
Working with Family Help Lead Practitioners and locality teams, the Lead Child Protection Practitioner will coordinate child protection activity and strengthen timely, evidence-based responses.
The Lead Child Protection Practitioner will provide practice leadership, reflective consultation and authoritative challenge across the partnership.
DUTIES
Your duties as the Lead Child Protection Practitioner include:
Child Protection Conferences: Chair complex conferences in line with legislation and guidance, enabling meaningful participation by children and young peopleMulti-Agency Strategy Discussions: Lead discussions, document outcomes and plan and monitor Section 47 investigations across familial and extra-familial harmStatutory Decision-Making: Exercise local authority child protection decisions using multi-agency intelligence, professional expertise and contextual analysisChild and Family Participation: Promote children’s wishes and feelings and work with parents, carers, family networks and professionalsProtection Planning and Records: Ensure plans are informed, current and effective, include family-led safety planning, and records are completed within required timescalesPractice Leadership and Quality Assurance: Provide reflective consultation, guidance and challenge; scrutinise plans and contribute to audit and performance activityInclusive and Contextual Safeguarding: Apply culturally competent, anti-discriminatory practice across exploitation, online risk and contextual safeguarding
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
BA (Hons) Social Work or equivalent relevant qualificationCurrent Social Work England registrationSubstantial frontline statutory child protection experience across enquiries, assessments, reviews, conferences, decision-making and supervisionExperience communicating with children, young people, families and professionals, including involving them in meetings and decisionsExperience chairing meetings sensitively, managing conflict and applying childcare legislation and child protection principlesStrong analytical, planning and critical reflection skills for complex/high-risk cases, including supporting others to develop these skillsManagement-level experience including supervision, plus experience leading social work teams as a Team Manager or Practice SupervisorAbility to communicate with diverse audiences, write reports, analyse data and work effectively in a multidisciplinary environmentAbility to quality assure frontline practice, manage relationships and apply child protection legal frameworks, guidance and researchAbility to guide, challenge and influence others while maintaining professional boundariesICT skills including Word, Outlook and case record management systemsAbility to manage priorities, work under pressure, monitor performance and address issuesAbility to undertake regular travel across North and South Derbyshire and work flexible hours as required DESIRABLE
Experience undertaking audits and quality assurance activities and communicating findingsDriving licencePost-qualifying training, including advanced child protection practice or specialist child protection training
BENEFITS
Local Government Pension SchemeGenerous annual leave entitlementEmployee discountsOccupational health and wellbeing servicesIn-house counselling and physiotherapy supportCycle to work schemeFree parking at most sites
This role requires a DBS Check
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JOB REF: AWDO-C15195
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