Lead Child Protection Practitioner – Multi-Agency Safeguarding (Hybrid)

West Berkshire Council; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Wellbeing Programme

Training and development opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

West Berkshire Council is seeking a Lead Child Protection Practitioner to join the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team within Children's Services. The role will lead safeguarding practice, provide expert consultation, and drive high standards across partner agencies.

You will work on strategy discussions, ensure timely responses, and mentor colleagues to deliver effective, timely interventions whilst developing a new integrated, collaborative service in our local community.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working within child protection and understanding of relevant legislation.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent assessment, analytical and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating Child Protection statutory processes and decisions.
• Attending strategy discussions, S47 enquiries and multiagency meetings.
• Providing oversight and quality assurance of Child Protection procedures and responses.
• Advising West Berkshire Children's Social Care and statutory partners about thresholds and good practice.
• Providing expert consultation and constructive challenge to practitioners and partner agencies.
• Analyze complex information and produce high-quality reports that support robust safeguarding decisions.
• Contribute to service development, quality assurance and strengthened multi‑agency safeguarding practice.
• Participate in service improvement initiatives and delivery of staff training.
• Role involves regulated activity with children; enhanced DBS check and ongoing DBS Update Service.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Decision making

Job description

West Berkshire Council is seeking a Lead Child Protection Practitioner to join the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team within Children's Services. The role will lead safeguarding practice, provide expert consultation, and drive high standards across partner agencies.

You will work on strategy discussions, ensure timely responses, and mentor colleagues to deliver effective, timely interventions whilst developing a new integrated, collaborative service in our local community.