Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade J. Scale 40 - £51,356 to Scale 43 - £54,495 with a professional bar at Scale 41 - £52,413

Hours Per Week: 36

Base

Location:

Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6BH

Assessment Date: 20th & 21st July 2026

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.

Join us at an exciting time for Tameside Children’s Services as we develop our Multi-Agency Child Protection Team. The Lead Child Protection Practitioner will play an integral role in shaping and strengthening this function.

• A recognised social work qualification with significant frontline child protection experience and strong knowledge of statutory frameworks
• Expertise in identifying and responding to all forms of harm, including extra-familial harm
• Confidence in working collaboratively and effectively with families
• The ability to support multi‑agency partners to understand and address risks within wider community and peer contexts
• A strong commitment to anti‑discriminatory, inclusive practice that reflects and respects diverse family needs
• A clear focus on ensuring the child’s best interests remain central to all decision‑making, including in complex exploitation contexts

At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach
, underpinned by the 5 C’s – Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage.

You will be an experienced social worker looking to take the next step in your career. As this is a newly developed role, you will be creative, proactive, and responsive in supporting the ongoing development of the service. You will bring passion and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people in Tameside.

• Communicate clearly and effectively with children, families, and multi‑agency partners
• Work collaboratively with partners, while also demonstrating the ability to work independently
• Share your knowledge and experience to help shape and strengthen practice across the team
• Be registered with Social Work England

If you have interest and expertise in one or more of the following areas, domestic abuse, adolescent risk, or supporting pre‑birth assessments, we would be keen to hear from you.

We are committed to ensuring all our citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time.

This post is classified as being in a professional job category. The grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

For further information about this role please contact Kayleigh Treanor, Head of Quality, Practice Assurance and Principal Social Worker on  or kayl