Lead CP Practitioner

Lead Child Protection Practitioner | Herefordshire Council
£51,142 - £55,269 | £10,000 Welcome Payment | Sponsorship Available

Herefordshire Council is looking for an experienced and motivated Lead Child Protection Practitioner to join its Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) on a permanent basis. This is a key safeguarding role for a practitioner who can lead on complex child protection work, support high standards across the service, and help shape strong multi-agency responses for children at risk.

This opportunity would suit a confident senior practitioner with strong frontline safeguarding experience, excellent risk analysis, and a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people. Visa sponsorship is available for candidates who require it, with approval already in place.

Role Overview

As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner within the MACPT, you will play a central role in supporting effective safeguarding interventions and driving high-quality practice across complex child protection work. You will work closely with social workers, managers, and partner agencies to ensure children receive timely, robust, and child-centred responses.

Key responsibilities

• Provide practice leadership and oversight on complex child protection cases
• Support decision-making and quality assurance in relation to Section 47 enquiries
• Work closely with partners including Police, Health and Education to ensure effective multi-agency safeguarding responses
• Contribute to strategy discussions and meetings, with a clear focus on risk analysis and planning
• Offer coaching, mentoring and reflective support to social workers across the service
• Support the development of high standards of practice and continuous improvement
• Contribute to service development and help shape the next phase of improvement within children’s services
• Promote restorative and relational practice in all areas of work

Benefits

• Salary: HC10 £46,142 - £50,269
• £5,000 market forces supplement
• Total package of £51,142 - £55,269
• £10,000 welcome payment
• Relocation package up to £10,000
• 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Protected time and budget for professional development
• Clear career progression pathways
• Flexible working options including agile working, part-time hours and job share opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support
• Payment of professional membership fees where applicable
• Access to a wide range of staff discounts and benefits

Requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Recognised Social Work qualification such as Degree in Social Work, DipSW or CQSW
• Significant frontline experience within child protection and safeguarding
• Strong analytical, assessment and decision-making skills
• Experience of working effectively in multi-agency safeguarding environments
• Ability to support, challenge and influence practice to improve outcomes for children
• A genuine commitment to developing others and embedding high standards
• Candidates requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome to apply

Interested?

If you are an experienced safeguarding practitioner looking for a permanent opportunity where you can influence practice, support complex decision-making and make a genuine difference for children and families, this could be an excellent next step.

To find out more or apply, contact:
Emily Cooper - ecooper@sheldon-phillips.com | 07745 200325

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