Senior Child Protection Lead & Multi-Agency Safeguarding

Thurrock Council; Grays; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS

Flexible/hybrid working

Training & development

Employee assistance programme

Staff discounts & offers

Supportive environment

Job summary

Thurrock Council seeks an experienced Lead Child Protection Practitioner to provide specialist safeguarding expertise and oversee complex child protection interventions, driving high-quality multi-agency practice across the borough.

You will chair Child Protection Conferences and multi-agency meetings, guide practitioners, and ensure children's wishes and lived experiences are central to assessment and planning.

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration.
• Minimum five years post-qualification experience in Children's Services.
• Significant child protection and safeguarding practice experience.
• Knowledge of Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• Experience chairing complex multi-agency meetings and conferences.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Ability to provide constructive challenge and sound professional decisions in complex situations.
• Commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Consult with, guide and advise multi-agency practitioners on child protection concerns.
• Oversee multi-agency decision-making and activity relating to child protection plans.
• Work with families and parents in child protection, including those with resistant or deceptive behaviour.
• Chair Child Protection Conferences, Strategy Meetings and other multi-agency safeguarding forums.
• Coordinate effective multi-agency responses to risk and harm.
• Ensure children's wishes, feelings and lived experiences are central to assessment and planning.
• Undertake home visits where necessary to build relationships with children and families.
• Build professional relationships with safeguarding partners and involve them in the process.
• Undertake quality assurance activities, audits and practice reviews to drive improvement.
• Support workforce development through training and coaching.

Skills

Social Work

Chair Meetings

Communication

Negotiation

Decision-making

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Thurrock Council seeks an experienced Lead Child Protection Practitioner to provide specialist safeguarding expertise and oversee complex child protection interventions, driving high-quality multi-agency practice across the borough.

You will chair Child Protection Conferences and multi-agency meetings, guide practitioners, and ensure children's wishes and lived experiences are central to assessment and planning.