Operational Lead (Conf & Reviewing)

Wiltshire Council; Trowbridge; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement 10%

Job summary

Wiltshire Council is seeking an Operational Lead for the Child Protection Conferences to provide inspirational leadership to a team of CP Chairs and ensure effective multi-agency conferences across the county. You will manage core functions and collaborate with managers to fulfil safeguarding duties.

The role requires a social work qualification and extensive post-qualifying experience in safeguarding, with capacity to lead and develop staff.

Qualifications

• Social worker with recognised qualification and current registration (Social Work England).
• Post-qualifying professional development is required.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in statutory children's social care, including safeguarding.
• Ideally experience chairing meetings and quality assurance experience, with leadership or senior practice involvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and oversight of the Child Protection Conferencing service.
• Lead, support and develop Child Protection Chairs to ensure high-quality practice.
• Provide quality assurance and professional challenge to identify themes, risks and improvements.
• Promote timely, child-centred safeguarding planning and decision-making.
• Collaborate with social work teams and multi-agency partners to strengthen safeguarding outcomes.
• Use audits and learning for continuous service improvement.
• Contribute to safeguarding policy, standards and priorities.

Skills

Organisational skills

Multitasking

Education

Social work qualification

Social Work England registration

Job description

Job Description

Salary: £54,143 - £56,293 per annum

Hours per week: 37 hours

Interview date: 18 November 2026

Our Conference and Reviewing service plays an important role in Wiltshire's journey to excellence. We are an innovative and agile workforce, focusing our efforts on the well-being of our children and residents looking for our next Operational Lead.

We take pride in our innovative spirit, constantly exploring avenues to elevate our services for the improvement of our communities. As part of our progressive approach, we're transforming child protection conferences to be more family-friendly and empowering. We aim to encourage families to take ownership of their plans, fostering positive change through high support and high challenge.

As the operational lead, you will provide inspirational leadership to our dedicated team of Child Protection Chairs, ensuring the efficiency of multiagency child protection conferences across the county. Day-to-day, you will manage the delivery of the CP Chair team's core functions, collaborating closely with operational managers at all levels to fulfil the Local Authority's safeguarding responsibilities.

You will bring excellent organisational skills, and the ability to multitask and meet demanding targets. A social work qualification, proven experience of looked after children and the statutory reviewing process is essential. Whilst having an excellent understanding of the issues affecting children and young people, their families, and carers.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families and desire to work for an 'OUTSTANDING' service that values success, invests in staff development, and promotes a healthy work-life balance with flexible options, we want to hear from you!

This position comes with a 10% market supplement payment. All market supplement payments are subject to review on an annual basis.

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.

Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer-facing roles work entirely from their service location.

We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Contact details

Samantha Mcfaul, Team Manager at [e-mail]

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide operational leadership and oversight of the Child Protection Conferencing service.
• Lead, support and develop Child Protection Chairs, promoting high-quality, consistent and relational practice.
• Provide effective quality assurance and professional challenge, identifying themes, risks and areas for service improvement.
• Promote timely and effective child protection planning and decision-making, ensuring children's voices and lived experiences are central to practice.
• Work collaboratively with social work teams, managers and multi-agency partners to strengthen safeguarding practice and outcomes for children.
• Use performance information, audit and learning from practice to support continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of safeguarding policy, practice standards and service priorities.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with a recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
• Evidence of relevant post-qualifying professional development.
• Significant post-qualifying experience in statutory children's social care, including child protection and safeguarding.
• ideally experience chairing meetings and quality assurance experience
• Evidence of leadership, management or advanced professional practice experience.