Principal Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Stirchley; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bi-Weekly Pay

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a seasoned Principal Officer (Child Protection Chair) to join the Local Authority Children's Services on a 4-month contract. The role leads multi-agency Child Protection Conferences and ensures decisions prioritise the needs of vulnerable children and families.

You will oversee safeguarding strategies, chair meetings, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining compliance with statutory guidance.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with active Social Work England registration.
• Significant post-qualification experience in social work.
• Proven experience in chairing Child Protection Conferences.
• Knowledge of child protection laws and safeguarding procedures.
• Experience in Children's Social Care and multi-agency safeguarding settings.
• Strong decision-making and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• Experience in leading practice improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
• Lead multi-agency discussions for best outcomes.
• Ensure children's voices are central to planning.
• Oversee safeguarding plans and Strengthening Families approach.
• Provide feedback to practitioners and agencies.
• Maintain records of conferences and outcomes.
• Promote learning and reflective practice.

Skills

Chairing Conferences

Multi-agency collaboration

Communication

Report writing

Decision making

Trauma-informed practice

Partnership management

Supervision experience

Quality Assurance

Education

Qualified Social Worker with SW England registration

Job description

Stirchley, United Kingdom | Posted on 15/10/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors. In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions. Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

Principal Officer (Child Protection Chair) - 4 Month Contract

Local Authority | 4 Month Contract

Location: 45 Fordhouse Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 3BN

Contract: 4 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working (Attendance Required for Conferences, Duty Weeks, and Meetings)

Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Principal Officer (Child Protection Chair) to join our Local Authority Children's Services team on a 4-month contract. This pivotal role involves leading multi-agency Child Protection Conferences to safeguard vulnerable children and young people, ensuring their needs are prioritized in all planning and decision-making processes. You will be part of a supportive team dedicated to promoting exemplary safeguarding practices, challenging when necessary, and ensuring active involvement of children, young people, and families in the child protection journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
• Lead multi-agency discussions aimed at enhancing outcomes for children and young people.
• Ensure children's voices and experiences are central to all planning and decisions.
• Foster participation and collaboration with children, parents, carers, and professionals.
• Oversee the creation and evaluation of effective child protection and safety plans.
• Implement a Strengthening Families approach in safeguarding practices.
• Provide constructive feedback to practitioners and agencies as needed.
• Assess and improve the quality of safeguarding practices and decisions.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and safeguarding protocols.
• Contribute to service quality enhancement, performance, and outcomes.
• Cultivate strong working relationships with social workers, partner agencies, and families.
• Maintain precise records and documentation of conferences and outcomes.
• Promote a culture of learning through reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Requirements:

• Qualified Social Worker with active Social Work England registration.
• Significant post-qualification experience in social work.
• Proven experience in chairing Child Protection Conferences.
• In-depth knowledge of child protection laws, safeguarding procedures, and statutory guidelines.
• Experience in Children's Social Care and multi-agency safeguarding settings.
• Strong decision-making and analytical abilities.
• Capability to challenge professional practices constructively.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in managing workloads and meeting deadlines.
• Commitment to relationship-based and trauma-informed practices.
• Strong skills in partnership and stakeholder management.
• Prior management or supervisory experience.
• Experience in Quality Assurance, Reviewing, or Independent Chair roles.
• Familiarity with Strengthening Families and restorative practice models.
• Experience in implementing practice improvement initiatives.

  Additional Information

  • Full-time role.
  • In-person attendance required for conferences.
  • Travel between offices and conference venues may be necessary.
  • Home working available for administrative tasks.
  • Participation in duty weeks is required.
  • Supportive and experienced team environment.

  What's on Offer?

  • 4 Month Contract
  • Full-Time Hours
  • Hybrid Working
  • Bi-Weekly Pay
  • Opportunity to focus on safeguarding and child protection improvements.
  • Collaborative and supportive team culture.
  • Meaningful role impacting outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
  • Potential for contract extension.

  Ideal for candidates with experience as a Principal Officer, Child Protection Chair, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), Conference Chair, Senior Social Worker, Advanced Practitioner, Child Protection Coordinator, Safeguarding Lead, or Quality Assurance Officer within Children's Services.