Child Protection Chair - Oxfordshire

Caritas Recruitment Limited; England; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 77,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Reflective supervision and wellbeing

Job summary

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking an experienced Child Protection Chair to join its Provider Services & Safeguarding service. This countywide role supports effective child protection arrangements and positive outcomes for children and families.

The post chairs approximately five conferences weekly, with flexibility to condense diary and attend the Oxfordshire office three days per week. Initial six-month placement, March 2027, with a competitive hourly rate and safeguarding focus.

Qualifications

• Social Work England registration is essential.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in children’s safeguarding.
• Experience chairing Child Protection Conferences.
• Management-level or senior practice experience.
• Strong knowledge of child protection procedures and safeguarding practice.
• Ability to work independently and manage a busy diary.
• Must attend Oxfordshire office 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Chair Child Protection Conferences effectively and independently.
• Maintain emphasis on children's safety, welfare and outcomes.
• Ensure involvement of children, families, and professionals.
• Support robust, timely, child-focused safeguarding plans.
• Apply relational and strengths-based approach with families.
• Promote high standards of multi-agency safeguarding practice.

Skills

Independent working

Diary management

Relational approach

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Social Work England registration

Enhanced DBS

Job description

Child Protection Chair - Oxfordshire

Location: Countywide across Oxfordshire
Working pattern: Hybrid, with office attendance required 3 days per week
Pay rate: £47.50 per hour, umbrella
Contract: Initial 6-month placement, currently required until March 2027
Service: Provider Services & Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking an experienced Child Protection Chair to join its Provider Services & Safeguarding service. This is a countywide position supporting the delivery of effective child protection arrangements and positive outcomes for children and families.

The role

You will be responsible for chairing Child Protection Conferences and supporting high-quality safeguarding practice across Oxfordshire. The service takes a relational and strengths-based approach when working with children and families.

The successful candidate will typically chair approximately five conferences per week. You will have flexibility to manage your own diary and may arrange two conferences on the same day to help condense your required office attendance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Chairing Child Protection Conferences effectively and independently
• Maintaining a clear focus on children's safety, welfare and outcomes
• Ensuring that children, families and professionals are appropriately involved
• Supporting robust, timely and child-focused safeguarding plans
• Applying a relational and strengths-based approach in work with families
• Promoting high standards of multi-agency safeguarding practice

Requirements

To be considered, you must have:

• Social Work England registration
• Significant post-qualifying experience within children's safeguarding services
• Previous experience of chairing Child Protection Conferences
• Relevant management-level or senior practice experience, as identified in the role profile
• Strong knowledge of child protection procedures and statutory safeguarding practice
• The ability to work independently and manage a busy diary
• An Enhanced DBS
• The ability to attend an Oxfordshire office 3 days per week

The specific office base is still to be confirmed, as the position operates countywide.

Why apply?

• Competitive rate of £47.50 per hour, umbrella
• Initial six-month contract
• Placement currently required until March 2027
• Flexibility to manage and condense your diary
• Opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to safeguarding outcomes across Oxfordshire
• Supportive service with a focus on professional development, reflective supervision and practitioner wellbeing

Oxfordshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults, and expects employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.