At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Child Protection Conferences and enhance safeguarding practices across Sheffield.
- Company: Sheffield City Council, dedicated to child welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday entitlement, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping safeguarding practices.
- Qualifications: Significant social work experience and strong safeguarding background required.
The predicted salary is between 28350 - 34650 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included. Are you an experienced social worker who can bring authority, curiosity and a clear focus on children to complex safeguarding work? Join Sheffield’s Child Protection Conference Service and help strengthen the quality and impact of child protection planning across the city.
The opportunity: You will independently chair Child Protection Conferences using the Signs of Safety model, review the progress and impact of plans, and bring effective scrutiny and constructive challenge to multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. At an important point in our service development, you will also help shape Sheffield’s developing Lead Child Protection Practitioner approach. This may include chairing occasional strategy meetings, supporting timely decisions and challenging drift or delay, while preserving the independence and professional authority of the conference chairing function. Additional responsibilities include acting as the Designated Officer (LADO), supporting the child death overview process with the Sheffield Children’s Safeguarding Partnership, and contributing flexibly across conference and reviewing services. Experience of, or a commitment to, statutory reviews for children looked after would be welcomed.
What you will bring: Significant post-qualifying social work experience and a strong safeguarding background. Confidence in chairing complex multi-agency meetings and providing independent challenge. Strong analysis, professional curiosity and expertise in effective safety planning. A relationship-based approach that keeps children’s voices and lived experiences at the centre. The ability to advise, influence and support practitioners and partner agencies to improve practice.
A supportive team: experienced colleagues, accessible managers and high-quality reflective supervision. Meaningful influence: strong practice leadership and the opportunity to help shape an evolving safeguarding model. Learning and progression: specialist training, mentoring, leadership development, clear career pathways and three dedicated CPD study days each year. Flexible working: hybrid and flexible arrangements that support wellbeing and life beyond work. An ambitious service: a forward-thinking culture built around relationship-based practice, learning and better outcomes for children and families.
Make a lasting difference: This is a rewarding opportunity to combine independent safeguarding scrutiny, practice leadership and relationship-based work in a service that is ambitious for Sheffield’s children and families. If you are ready to bring your safeguarding expertise, professional authority and passion for child-centred practice to Sheffield, we would love to hear from you. We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share. If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
Child Protection Co-ordinator in Sheffield employer: Beighton
Sheffield City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children they serve. With flexible working options and a strong commitment to professional development, this role provides meaningful opportunities for growth in children's social care, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to make a real difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Protection Co-ordinator in Sheffield
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Beighton.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Beighton!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Beighton, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Beighton or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Child Protection Co-ordinator in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Beighton:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Beighton! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beighton
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
