Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Overview

C&YP Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Job Title:

Lead Child Protection Practitioner
Salary: HC10 £ 46,142 - £50,269 plus £5,000 market forces supplement (£51,142 - £55,269)
Welcome payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance)

Contract:

Permanent

Hours:

37

Location:

Hereford
Relocation package of up to £10,000 available
Closing date: 04/05/2026

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Practitioner to join our Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT). This is a key role at the heart of safeguarding, working with partners to ensure timely, effective, and child-centred responses to risk. You will play a critical role in supporting high-quality practice, driving performance, and ensuring that children at risk of harm receive the right support at the right time.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic and evolving service that places children at the centre of everything we do. You will have the opportunity to influence practice, shape service delivery, and make a real impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work — a way of working that is firmly embedded in our team culture and management style.

Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice: senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.

To arrange an informal discussion, or ask any questions about the role, please contact: [email protected]

• Provide practice leadership and oversight on complex child protection cases
• Support the decision-making and quality assurance of Section 47 enquiries
• Work closely with partners including police, health, and education to ensure robust multi-agency safeguarding responses
• Offer coaching, mentoring, and reflective supervision support to social workers
• Be a part of strategy discussions and meetings, ensuring clear risk analysis and planning
• Drive continuous improvement and contribute to service development

• Registered with Social Work England and holding a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, DipSW, or CQSW).
• Has substantial experience in frontline child protection and safeguarding
• Has a minimum of 3 years’ experience in frontline child protection and safeguarding
• Demonstrates strong analytical, risk assessment, and decision-making skills
• Has experience of multi-agency working at a strategic and operational level
• Can support and challenge practice to ensure excellent outcomes for children
• Is passionate about developing others and embedding high standards of practice

• Salary range of £46,142 - £50,269 per annum
• Market rate supplement: £5,000 per annum
• Welcome Payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance)
• Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
• Professional development: protected time and budget to develop yourself and your career
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Pick your perks – access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits

We’re proud to present our recruitment video showcasing Herefordshire’s people, places, and purpose. Herefordshire Council is about people feeling valued, supported and empowered to grow together. We are a rural, historic county with a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear:
to keep children safe and give them the best start in life
. We work with passionate professionals who build strong relationships with children, families and partners to make a lasting difference. We are investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working with our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that…