Social worker

JR United Kingdom; Watford; On-site; GBP 86,000 - 95,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading council is looking for a Senior Lead Child Protection Practitioner to manage and lead child protection efforts. This hybrid role focuses on safeguarding children and young people, providing expert guidance, and ensuring collaborative multi-agency working. The practitioner will oversee critical processes and support frontline workers towards positive outcomes. The role is part-time, encompassing up to 37 hours a week, with applications open until June 4th, 2025.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Leadership experience in child protection required.

Responsibilities

• Lead decision-maker for all Child Protection Enquiries and Conferences.
• Provide effective help and protection to children and families.
• Manage performance in relation to child protection.

Skills

Leadership

Child Protection Management

Education

Qualified social worker with current registration

Job description

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Job Title: Senior Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Hourly Rate £41.42

Work Pattern: Hybrid

Part time: 37 hours

Location: Civic Centre, Walsall

About Us

At Walsall Council, we believe that people are at the heart of everything we do. In our work, the way we listen and respond to our customers and colleagues will determine the way we grow and bring Council’s vision to life. To succeed, we must push the boundaries of customer service and added value - outstanding is the new standard and the new routine.

Using evidence-based insight into solving problems, managers will create an environment that provides opportunities for all individuals and communities to fulfil their potential.

As leaders of people, managers will:

• Work collaboratively to develop strong working relationships and provide a bridge between the council and the communities.
• Embrace change and strive for improvement continuously.
• Provide value for money to ensure services are delivered in a timely fashion, combining sustainability with quality.
• Challenge the status quo, enable and empower, act with integrity.
• Together, they will deliver services that the people of Walsall will be proud of.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for and lead decision-maker for all Child Protection Enquiries and Child Protection Conferences
• To provide effective help and protection to children, young people, families and carers, and help them to achieve positive outcomes.
• To undertake effective assessment, planning and direct work to safeguard children and young people and to meet their needs, and the needs of families and carers.
• To support all frontline practitioners, and to be aware of and manage performance in relation to child protection.
• To develop practice through oversight and quality assurance of child protection practice, observations of practice and appraisal.
• To be responsible for the professional supervision, guidance, and reflective practice of child protection.
• To facilitate regular Group Supervision around child protection to foster collaborative multi-agency working.
• To lead practice development in child protection, and to develop a culture of learning and evidence-based practice.
• To lead all child protection investigations - including chairing Strategy Meetings and Child Protection Conferences and managing Section 47 Enquiries.
• To be the lead decision-maker for the outcome of child protection decisions in Strategy Meetings, Section 47 Enquiries and Child Protection Conferences.
• To oversee multi-agency child protection practice, and the work of multiple agencies involved in child protection enquiries and decisions.
• To lead a culture of collaborative decision-making in the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team.
• To coordinate key child protection processes including MARAC and MAPPA meetings.
• To provide senior escalation and challenge to all agencies where required, and where there are differences of opinion in decision-making.

Skills and Experience:

• Qualified social worker with current registration with Social Work England.
• Leadership or management experience within Child protection

The closing date for completed applications is: 4th June 2025 (Midnight)