Lead Child Protection Practitioner

Lead Child Protection Practitioner
£51,142 - £55,269 PLUS Welcome payment: £10,000
Contract Type: Permanent
Contracted Hours: 37
Location: Hereford
Relocation package of up to £10,000 available

 

Introduction
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.

The Role
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.

About You
We are looking for a confident and skilled practitioner who:

  • 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
  • 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

What is Offered
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

  • Salary range of £51,142 - £55,269 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 - our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Why Choose Herefordshire

At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together.

Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England’s most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community.

Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference.

It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care.

If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.

Creating an inclusive workplace

We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.

How to Apply

Email your CV and interest to:
jdacosta@sheldon-phillips.com
Call me for more information:
07513 834 554