Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Hoople; Hereford; On-site; GBP 51,142 - 55,269; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome payment

Relocation assistance

LGPS enrollment

Career progression

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Hoople is recruiting a Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Hereford. The role leads the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT), guiding risk-based decision making and ensuring timely, child‑centred responses to safeguarding concerns.

You will collaborate with police, health and education to maintain high standards of practice and drive service development. The post requires substantial frontline child protection experience, professional registration, and a passion for developing others

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England and holding a recognised Social Work qualification.
• Minimum 3 years’ frontline child protection and safeguarding experience.
• Experience of multi‑agency working at strategic and operational level.
• Ability to challenge practice to ensure excellent outcomes for children.

Responsibilities

• Provide practice leadership and oversight on complex child protection cases.
• Support the decision‑making and quality assurance of Section 47 enquiries.
• Work with partners including police, health, and education for robust safeguarding responses.
• Offer coaching, mentoring, and reflective supervision to social workers.
• Be part of strategy discussions, ensuring clear risk analysis and planning.
• Drive continuous improvement and contribute to service development.

Skills

Social work

Risk assessment

Analytical skills

Multi‑agency working

Education

Degree in Social Work

DipSW / CQSW

Job description

Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Job Title: Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Location: Hereford

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 per week

Salary: HC10 £46,142 - £50,269 plus £5,000 market forces supplement (£51,142 - £55,269)

Welcome payment: £10,000

Relocation package: up to £10,000 available

Closing date: 02/08/2026

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Practitioner to join our Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT). This role is at the heart of safeguarding, working with partners to ensure timely, effective, and child‑centred responses to risk. You will play a critical role in supporting high‑quality practice, driving performance, and ensuring that children at risk of harm receive the right support at the right time.

Responsibilities

• Provide practice leadership and oversight on complex child protection cases
• Support the decision‑making and quality assurance of Section 47 enquiries
• Work closely with partners including police, health, and education to ensure robust multi‑agency safeguarding responses
• Offer coaching, mentoring, and reflective supervision support to social workers
• Be a part of strategy discussions and meetings, ensuring clear risk analysis and planning
• Drive continuous improvement and contribute to service development

About You

• Registered with Social Work England and holding a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, DipSW, or CQSW)
• Has substantial experience in frontline child protection and safeguarding, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience
• Demonstrates strong analytical, risk assessment, and decision‑making skills
• Has experience of multi‑agency working at a strategic and operational level
• Can support and challenge practice to ensure excellent outcomes for children
• Is passionate about developing others and embedding high standards of practice

We Offer

• Competitive salary: £46,142 - £50,269 per annum (Market rate supplement £5,000 per annum)
• Welcome payment £10,000 (see attached guidance)
• Relocation packages: up to £10,000
• Professional development: protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. Additional 10 days per annum can be purchased.
• Flexible working: including potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Benefits including access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits (savings, cashback, discounts)

Reasonable Adjustments

Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: [e-mail].

Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations

• Those who indicate that they have a disability (part of the Disability Confident scheme)
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist (part of the Armed Forces Covenant)
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver (part of the commitment to support young people leaving our care)

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks.

Sponsorship (UK Only)

We can provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for successful candidates who are already living in the UK and have a minimum of two years’ UK‑based experience in the relevant team or discipline. Overseas prospective candidates requiring sponsorship should not apply.