Lead Child Protection Practitioner (INTERNAL)

East Sussex County Council; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex County Council is recruiting an experienced manager to join the MACPT pilot as Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) in Eastbourne. You will shape the new model, test and refine safeguarding workflows across Family Help, MASH, Police, Education and Health partners.

The role requires substantial safeguarding expertise, the ability to chair strategy discussions and lead on Section 47 enquiries, ensuring robust decision‑making and timely investigations.

Qualifications

• Current Children’s Services manager with substantial safeguarding expertise.
• Strong track record of child protection practice.
• Ability to chair strategy discussions and multi-agency decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Chair strategy discussions and Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
• Oversee Section 47 enquiries to ensure robust decision-making.
• Collaborate with Family Help Practice Managers, MASH, Police, Education and Health partners.
• Contribute to design, development and evaluation of the MACPT pilot.

Skills

Chair strategy discussions

Section 47 knowledge

Multi-agency working

Safeguarding expertise

Leadership

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated manager to join the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) pilot as a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP).

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in shaping one of the most significant developments in child protection practice in East Sussex. Working at the interface of safeguarding, Family Help and multi-agency working, you will help design, test and refine a new model that will inform future countywide implementation.

The pilot will initially operate within the existing Eastbourne Family Help pilot area, providing an opportunity to test the model, learn from implementation and shape the future operating arrangements for child protection services.

The LCPP role sits at the heart of the developing MACPT model and will work closely with Family Help Practice Managers, MASH, Police, Education and Health partners to strengthen oversight, consistency and decision-making in child protection practice.

The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening safeguarding practice and oversight across the service. They will chair strategy discussions and Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences, while providing professional challenge, scrutiny and oversight throughout the child protection process. A significant aspect of the role will involve overseeing Section 47 enquiries, including key review points, to ensure robust decision-making and the timely progression of child protection investigations.

Working collaboratively with Family Help Practice Managers, MASH and Family Help colleagues, the postholder will support the continuous development of safeguarding pathways and operational practice. They will contribute to the design, development and evaluation of the MACPT pilot, helping to shape future operational guidance, workflow arrangements and partnership working. Through close collaboration with partners and practitioners, they will play a vital role in refining end-to-end safeguarding processes and improving outcomes for children and families.

This role offers a rare opportunity to influence how the future MACPT model develops in East Sussex, working directly with colleagues from Children's Services, Sussex Police, Health and Education.

We are looking for a current Children's Services manager with substantial safeguarding expertise and a strong track record of child protection practice.

You will bring:

• Significant experience of managing complex child protection work.
• The ability to chair strategy discussions
• Knowledge of Section 47 processes, child protection planning and multi-agency decision-making.
• Credibility and confidence when working across professional boundaries.
• The ability to provide constructive challenge whilst maintaining positive working relationships.
• Experience of supporting practice improvement and driving high standards of safeguarding practice.
• A genuine interest in innovation, service development and learning through implementation.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is excited by the opportunity to help shape a new model of practice and who can bring both operational expertise and curiosity to a test-and-learn environment.

Why apply?

This is a chance to:

• Help design and shape the future MACPT model for East Sussex.
• Work closely with Family Help, MASH and safeguarding colleagues across the system.
• Influence how we work with Police, Health and Education partners as part of an integrated child protection model.
• Test new approaches and contribute directly to future service design.
• Build on East Sussex's strong reputation for safeguarding practice while helping develop the next stage of our Family First transformation journey.

The pilot will be supported through a collaborative test-and-learn approach, with learning used to inform future workforce planning, service design and countywide implementation.

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Jo Nash - [e-mail]

A workforce for the community, from the community.

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. We but particularly encourage those from group that are underrepresented in our current workforce:

Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those who are disabled, men and those who identify as LGBTQ+. We are working towards recruiting a workforce that reflects our community because we recognise the unique skills, experience and perspective that each individual brings.

'East Sussex is a very good employer. You’re able to work flexibly around childcare and caring responsibilities and that’s really helpful'. - Charlotte, Social Worker

‘Social workers love working in East Sussex because they feel valued and supported.’ Ofsted Report 2024

For flexible working, choose East Sussex!

Interviews will take place in person on the 25 September in Eastbourne.

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

Our unparalleled social work education team are dedicated to supporting our social workers grow and develop within and beyond their roles.