Lead Child Protection Practitioner

The Methodist Church in Britain; Macclesfield; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days annual leave including bankhol

Career progression opportunities

Hybrid or remote working where poss.

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Pension scheme

Job summary

Cheshire East Council's Children’s Social Care is seeking a senior specialist to lead child protection enquiries, investigations and decisions. The role chairs strategy meetings and conferences, and provides expert guidance to practitioners while shaping safeguarding services for children.

Requires a recognised social work qualification, Social Work England registration, and substantial child protection experience with a strong track record in safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Substantial experience in child protection and multi-agency safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Lead child protection enquiries, investigations and decision-making.
• Chair strategy meetings and child protection conferences.
• Work directly with children, families and partner agencies to manage risk and promote positive outcomes.
• Provide expert guidance, support and leadership to practitioners.
• Promote high standards of safeguarding practice and continuous improvement across Children's Services.
• Champion high-quality child protection practice and help shape services around children's needs.

Skills

Excellent leadership

Risk assessment

Influencing and guidance

Strategic collaboration

Communication with partners

Education

Registered social worker

Tools

Social Work England registration

Job description

A new specialist leadership post in the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team, within Cheshire East Council's Children's Social Care. The post-holder leads child protection enquiries, investigations and decisions, chairs strategy meetings and conferences, and gives expert guidance to practitioners. The role is full-time at 37 hours with flexitime and hybrid or remote working where possible. Social Work England registration and substantial child protection experience are required.

What the job involves

• Lead child protection enquiries, investigations and decision-making
• Chair strategy meetings and child protection conferences
• Work directly with children, families and partner agencies to manage risk and promote positive outcomes
• Provide expert guidance, support and leadership to practitioners
• Promote high standards of safeguarding practice and continuous improvement across Children's Services
• Champion high-quality child protection practice and help shape services around children's needs

What's required

Qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification

Registration & licences

• Registration with Social Work England

Experience

• Substantial experience in child protection and multi-agency safeguarding work
• Strong track record in child protection and safeguarding

Skills & knowledge

• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, policy and statutory guidance
• Sound decision-making in complex and high-risk situations
• Ability to influence, support and develop practitioners through leadership and professional guidance
• Builds positive relationships with children, families and partner agencies

Other

• Shares the council's values of drive, integrity, respect and collaboration

What's offered

• 34 days' annual leave including bank holidays from day one, rising to 39 after five years, with the option to buy up to 10 extra days a year
• Guaranteed yearly pay increases
• Flexitime and hybrid or remote working where possible
• Salary sacrifice schemes for green cars and white goods
• Career average public pension, accruing at 1/49th of pensionable pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership with Everybody Leisure