Lead Child Protection Practitoner & Independent Reviewing Officer

Northumberland County Council's (NCC) vision is 'Land of Great Opportunities', for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join the Children's Safeguarding Unit.

The Children's Safeguarding Unit plays a key role in ensuring that children and young people across Northumberland are protected, supported and able to achieve positive outcomes. The service works in partnership with children, families and multi‑agency professionals to monitor and review plans, promote high standards of practice and ensure that children remain at the centre of decision‑making.

We welcome applicants who are flexible and adaptable. While successful candidates will be appointed to either the Lead Child Protection Practitioner or Independent Reviewing Officer role, the Safeguarding Unit operates as a single service. As service needs evolve or change, members of the team may be required to move into the other specialism, to meet service demands and ensure effective service delivery.

We have 4 full time, fixed‑term contracts for 2 years, supporting the service through key developments associated with the Families First Partnership Programme, including the implementation of the Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) role which will replace our current Child Protection Advisor role.

As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner, you will provide expert advice and guidance to alternatively qualified workers, social workers, managers and multi‑agency partners throughout the child protection pathway. You will also support practice learning and play a key role in how we transform how children at risk of significant harm are supported and protected, ensuring that decisions, actions and plans are robust, timely and subject to effective review.

As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will be the independent voice for children and young people, ensuring their views and experiences meaningfully shape decisions about their care. You will have a fundamental role in promoting their safety, wellbeing and outcomes by ensuring plans are appropriate, timely and responsive to their needs.

Whichever specialism you are appointed to, these roles are central to holding the Local Authority and partner agencies to account. You will monitor children’s plans, champion high‑quality practice, and drive improved outcomes for children, young people and their families.

We promote flexible working where this aligns with service needs. You can work from a range of locations, including home; however, meetings with children, young people and families are expected to take place in person.

• As an LCPP, contribute to strategy meetings, support Section 47 enquiries, chair Child Protection Conferences, ensuring plans address the key issues, are robustly challenged, and are effective in reducing risk and improving outcomes for children.
• As an IRO, chair cared for children reviews, pathway plan reviews and adoption reviews, while contributing to care planning ensuring plans remain focused on achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.

• Ensure the views, wishes and experiences of children and young people are heard, understood and influence planning and decision‑making.
• Monitor and review children’s plans, holding the Local Authority and partner agencies to account where required, to ensure plans are developed and progressed, deliver intended outcomes and demonstrate impact.

• Promote high‑quality practice through independent oversight, constructive challenge and support, contributing to improved outcomes for children, young people…