Lead Child Protection Practitioner - Childrens Social Care

Stoke-on-Trent; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking a Lead Child Protection Practitioner within the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team. You will be an expert in child protection, supporting proportionate, timely, evidence-based multi-agency decision making for children at risk of significant harm.

The role requires a recognised social work qualification with registration, extensive experience in safeguarding, and strong skills in chairing complex meetings, consultation and influencing practice.

Qualifications

• A recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Extensive and current knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, child development and risk assessment.
• Experience of chairing complex, emotionally charged meetings and reaching robust decisions.
• Strong consultation, mentoring and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge practice and professional networks.
• Commitment to restorative, relational and anti-discriminatory practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist child protection consultation to Family Help Lead Practitioners, Practice Leads and managers.
• Support section 47 enquiries, joint visits, safety planning and evidence-based decision making.
• Chair strategy discussions, child protection conferences and other relevant safeguarding meetings.
• Work directly with children and families to understand daily lived experience and strengthen engagement in safety planning.
• Oversee information sharing and ensure safeguarding procedures are followed and escalated when necessary.

Skills

Consultation

Mentoring

Influencing

Risk assessment

Chairing meetings

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Social work qualification and registration with Social Work England

Job description

Job Type:

Job Type: Permanent

Category:

Category: City Council (External Vacancy)

Closing Date:

Closing Date: 11/22/2026

Reference:

Reference: 0000027432

Description

Directorate: Children and Family Services

Section: Children's Social Care

Grade: Level 14

Hours: 37 hours per week

This advert is open to both internal & External applicants

About us

We are a city ofstrengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-TrentCity Council is more than just a job; it is about making, protecting andimproving services for local people, reducing inequalities and improvingindependence for those who live and work in the city. That is where you comein. We are looking for people of the highest calibre, with the skills,knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-TrentCity Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset. Theskills, knowledge and experience of our employees are essential to deliveringour ambitions for the organisation and the city. We want to be an employerpeople are proud to work for, where staff are supported, developed and rewardedin an inclusive way that helps them excel and deliver the high-quality servicesour residents need.

We are growing anddeveloping our Children and Families workforce as part of an ambitiousprogramme of service transformation. We are looking for talented, committed andvalues-led professionals to join us.

The Role

As a Lead ChildProtection Practitioner within the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team, you willbe a recognised expert in child protection. You will support proportionate,timely and evidence-based multi-agency decision making where children may be atrisk of significant harm.

AboutYou

• A recognised social workqualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Considerable experience ofcomplex children's social work, including section 47 enquiries, court work andlooked-after children legislation.
• Extensive and current knowledgeof safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, child development and riskassessment.
• Experience of chairing complex,emotionally charged meetings and reaching robust decisions.
• Strong consultation, mentoringand influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge practice andprofessional networks.

A clear commitment torestorative, relational and anti-discriminatory practice.

KeyResponsibilities

• Provide specialist childprotection consultation to Family Help Lead Practitioners, Practice Leads andmanagers.
• Support section 47 enquiries,joint visits, safety planning and evidence-based decision making.
• Chair strategy discussions,child protection conferences and other relevant safeguarding meetings.
• Work directly with children andfamilies to understand daily lived experience and strengthen engagement insafety planning.
• Oversee appropriate informationsharing and ensure safeguarding procedures are followed and escalated whennecessary.

Contribute to audits,performance monitoring, practice guidance, mentoring and service development.

Why JoinUs?

• Join a new multi-agency modeldesigned to strengthen child protection decision making.
• Use your expertise to influencepractice across Family Help and Children's Social Care.

Play a central role inimproving safety and outcomes for children across Stoke-on-Trent.

What weoffer

• A competitive salary based onyour skills, experience and talent.
• Hybrid and flexible workingoptions, where these are compatible with the needs of the role and service.
• Access to the Local GovernmentPension Scheme.
• Professional developmentthrough learning opportunities, regular training and apprenticeship andmanagement programmes.

If you would liketo discuss the role further, please contact:

Claudious Madembo, Head of Service IFD & EDT Children & Families -Children & Families

Pre-employmentchecks

Any offer ofemployment will be subject to the successful completion of requiredpre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK.
• Proof of address.
• Satisfactory references.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Evidence of relevantprofessional qualifications or registrations.

A DBS check at the appropriatelevel.

Safeguarding

We are committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults, and we expect all employees and volunteers to share thiscommitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record checkfrom the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Additionalinformation

If an employee whois currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for thisvacancy, their application will receive priority. If this happens, you will beadvised accordingly.

Your careermatters here. At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we are committed to helping ourpeople thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment toopportunities for development and career progression, we invest in ourworkforce because we know it is our greatest asset. We are building aninclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyoneis welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.

Equality,Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-TrentCity Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of ourcommunity, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applicationsfrom people of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people,especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, mayhesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed requirement. If this roleinterests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating aworkplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves and can succeedtogether.