Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Herefordshire Council,

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

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37

Location: Hereford

Relocation package: up to £10,000

Closing date: 02/08/2026

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.

As a Lead Practitioner within the MACPT, you will:

• 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

Herefordshire is on a journey, and we would like you to be part of our next chapter. This is an exciting opportunity to have a genuine impact on the local authority and help improve the lives of children and young people across our communities.

• 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; additional 10 days per annum may be purchased.
• Flexible working: potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours, and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support and counselling.
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements).
• Retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits; savings, cash back, and discounts.

• Disability Confident scheme candidates are encouraged.
• Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist candidates are encouraged.
• Herefordshire care leaver candidates are encouraged.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.

All staff will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks.