Locum Independent Chair

Locum Independent Chair – Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Reviews
Location: Southampton City Council
Rate: From £45 per hour
Contract: Full-time Locum (Initial 3–6 months, likely extension)
Contact: Fred Thomas at Sheldon Phillips

01635 226350 | fthomas@sheldon-phillips.com

The Opportunity
Sheldon Phillips is working in partnership with Southampton City Council to recruit a highly experienced Independent Chair to support their Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service. This vital locum role involves chairing Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Children Reviews, ensuring high standards of care planning and safeguarding across the city.

Southampton is embedding a clear and ambitious Practice Framework based on relationship-based, trauma-informed and restorative approaches, with a strong commitment to co-production and reflective practice. You will be key in upholding these values and ensuring plans for children are timely, outcome-focused, and centred on their lived experience.

This role offers the chance to work in a dynamic local authority that is actively driving improvement and putting children’s voices at the heart of all decision-making.

Key Duties

  • Chair statutory Child Protection Conferences and Looked After Children Reviews.

  • Ensure children’s care and protection plans are robust, regularly reviewed and progressed without delay.

  • Provide independent scrutiny and hold professionals accountable through constructive challenge.

  • Promote Southampton’s Practice Framework, ensuring relational and strengths-based approaches are embedded in planning.

  • Maintain high-quality records and contribute to quality assurance and service development.

About You

  • Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.

  • Extensive experience in children’s safeguarding, child protection, and looked after services.

  • Proven ability to chair complex multi-agency meetings.

  • Sound knowledge of statutory frameworks, guidance and best practice.

  • Committed to trauma-informed, restorative and inclusive practice.

  • Available to start within 2–4 weeks.

Why Southampton?
Southampton’s Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service is structured to ensure robust oversight, high standards, and collaborative working. Their Practice Framework supports confident, relationship-based practice, enabling better outcomes for children and families. As a locum professional, you’ll be joining a forward-thinking authority focused on improvement and integrity.

Apply Now
To apply or discuss this opportunity, contact Fred Thomas at Sheldon Phillips:
01635 226350 | fthomas@sheldon-phillips.com