At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child protection efforts and mentor social workers to safeguard children.
- Company: Barnsley Council, dedicated to improving child protection practices.
- Benefits: Flexible working, strong leadership support, and robust training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment focused on professional growth and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping future practices.
- Qualifications: Experienced social worker with advanced skills in child protection and risk assessment.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
Do you want to shape the future of child protection practice? At Barnsley Council, we’re committed to doing the right thing for children — with courage, compassion and professional curiosity. We are developing our Stronger Together Practice framework as we begin to embed our Families First Programme. We’re looking for exceptionally skilled and experienced social workers to join us as Lead Child Protection Practitioners, playing a pivotal role in our Multi Agency Child Protection Team, protecting children at risk of significant harm and strengthening practice across our systems and partnerships.
Aligned to the Families First social care reforms, this role has a focus on leading and strengthening multi-agency safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and families through evidence-informed, practice-led leadership. There is no case holding or direct line management within this leadership role, making it perfect for practitioners who want to stay close to practice while influencing outcomes, decision‑making and standards at pace.
As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP), you will provide expert social work leadership, interventions and decision making in all statutory child protection activity. This will include chairing, leading, and decision making in strategy discussions, leading and co-working Section 47 investigations including joint investigations, chairing core groups and attending CP conferences. You will act as a mentor, offering expert child protection guidance, advice, support and interventions and will work alongside Family Help Practitioners, Team Managers and partner agencies to ensure that plans are robust, risks are clearly understood, and children are safeguarded.
You’ll be a visible and trusted expert — offering consultation, reflective discussion, professional challenge and decisive leadership where it matters most.
Key Aspects Of The Role Include:- Chairing strategy discussions, safety planning and multi‑agency risk meetings
- Leading and supporting complex Section 47 enquiries
- Providing expert oversight of risk assessment, analysis and decision‑making
- Strengthening multi‑agency safeguarding responses, holding partners to account where necessary
- Undertaking targeted quality assurance activity, identifying learning and driving improvement
- Supporting workforce development, including coaching, mentoring and training delivery
- Contributing to organisational learning, LCSPR activity and continuous improvement
You’ll be an experienced, confident and passionate registered social worker with:
- Extensive experience in children’s social care and child protection
- Advanced skills in risk assessment, analysis and defensible decision‑making
- A strong grasp of statutory guidance, research and evidence‑informed practice
- The ability to lead, influence and challenge across professional boundaries
- A commitment to child‑centred, reflective and relational practice
- Confidence working in high‑pressure environments with complexity and uncertainty
- Experience of working alongside partners to deliver interventions that safeguard children
You will bring professional credibility, curiosity and integrity and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
At Barnsley Council, we believe great practice happens when people feel valued, supported and trusted.
We Offer:- A clear and ambitious practice model rooted in evidence and learning
- Strong leadership support and a culture of reflection and improvement
- A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and supervision
- A robust training and development offer via our Practice Development Hub
- Flexible working options and a supportive, enabling environment
Barnsley is a place where expert practice is recognised, nurtured and enabled, where children’s lived experiences are at the heart of everything we do. If you are passionate about excellent child protection practice and want a role where your expertise can make a real difference we would love to hear from you.
Interviews are to take place on Thursday 18th June 2026. If you want to discuss the role, please contact Louise Danks PSW on louisedanks1@barnsley.gov.uk.
Lead Child Protection Practitioner (2 Posts) in Barnsley employer: Children's Social Work Matters
Barnsley Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to shaping the future of child protection practice with a strong commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development. Our culture fosters reflection, support, and collaboration, ensuring that every team member feels valued while making a meaningful impact on children's lives. With flexible working options and a robust training programme, we empower our Lead Child Protection Practitioners to excel in their roles and drive positive change within the community.
Contact Details:
Children's Social Work Matters Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner (2 Posts) in Barnsley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the child protection field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current child protection practices and legislation. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but a passionate advocate for children’s welfare!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest roles listed there, and it’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Child Protection Practitioner (2 Posts) in Barnsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for child protection shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a difference in children's lives, so share your experiences and motivations that drive you to apply for this role.
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your skills and experience. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges in child protection and what outcomes you achieved, so don’t hold back on the details!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Highlight how your skills align with the key aspects of the role, especially around multi-agency safeguarding and decision-making. We want to see how you fit into our vision!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Barnsley Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Children's Social Work Matters
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in child protection practices and the Families First Programme. Brush up on statutory guidance and recent research to show you’re not just experienced, but also informed and ready to lead.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led multi-agency discussions or complex investigations. Highlight your ability to influence and challenge across professional boundaries, as this role is all about making impactful decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that test your decision-making skills in high-pressure situations. Think through potential scenarios you might face as a Lead Child Protection Practitioner and how you would handle them effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Improvement
Talk about your experience with coaching and mentoring others in the field. Show how you’ve contributed to organisational learning and continuous improvement, as this aligns perfectly with Barnsley Council’s values.
