Lead Child Protection Practitioner — Shape Safeguarding Outcomes

WMJobs; Hereford; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Annual leave 31 days

Welcome payment

Relocation support

Career progression

Flexible working

Staff benefits

Job summary

Herefordshire Council is seeking an experienced Lead Child Protection Practitioner to join our MACPT. You will provide leadership on complex cases, influence safeguarding decisions, and work with police, health and education to ensure robust multi‑agency responses.

You will mentor social workers, drive service development, and contribute to high standards of practice within a supportive team. Herefordshire values collaborative, child‑centred approaches.

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England and holding a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, DipSW, or CQSW).
• Substantial frontline child protection experience in safeguarding.
• Minimum of 3 years’ frontline experience in child protection and safeguarding.
• Strong analytical, risk assessment and decision‑making skills.
• Experience of multi‑agency working at strategic and operational levels.
• Ability to support and challenge practice to achieve excellent outcomes for children.
• Commitment to developing others and embedding high standards of practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide practice leadership and oversight on complex child protection cases.
• Support decision‑making and quality assurance of Section 47 enquiries.
• Work with police, health and education to ensure robust multi‑agency safeguarding.
• Offer coaching, mentoring and reflective supervision to social workers.
• Engage in strategy discussions with clear risk analysis and planning.
• Drive continuous improvement and contribute to service development.

Skills

Risk assessment

Decision making

Multi‑agency collaboration

Coaching & supervision

Analytical skills

People management

Education

Degree in Social Work

CQSW / DipSW

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

Herefordshire Council is seeking an experienced Lead Child Protection Practitioner to join our MACPT. You will provide leadership on complex cases, influence safeguarding decisions, and work with police, health and education to ensure robust multi‑agency responses.

You will mentor social workers, drive service development, and contribute to high standards of practice within a supportive team. Herefordshire values collaborative, child‑centred approaches.