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- Tasks: Lead child protection efforts, ensuring children's voices are central to support plans.
- Company: Connect2Dorset, a trusted agency dedicated to ethical and caring service.
- Benefits: Competitive pay of £47.50/hour, hybrid work model, and meaningful impact on children's lives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while collaborating with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: QSW registered with Social Work England and substantial experience in child protection.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 37 - 56 £ per hour.
About Us
Connect2Dorset is a managed service agency owned by Dorset Council, providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities within Dorset Council. Our service is built on our values of being ethical, trustworthy and caring, with profits returned to our Local Authority shareholders.
Location: Hybrid (2 days in office per week)
Contract: 6 months - 37 hours a week
Pay Rate: £47.50 an hour
Start Date: Immediate
* Subject to compliance and Enhanced DBS.
Ensure that children’s voices are heard and are central to influencing any plans made to support them. Embed Family-Led decision making, while enhancing multi-agency collaboration to support our children and families. Safeguarding Children through strategic oversight and intervention to meet our statutory obligations under the Children Act 2004, Working Together 2023 and The Families First Partnership Guidance. Focusing on building relationships; ensuring effective participation and taking a restorative trauma informed strengths-based approach. To support and challenge operational practice to ensure outcomes for children are being achieved.
Key responsibilities
- Be a key member of the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team.
- Chair all strategy meetings.
- Chair child protection conferences.
- Oversee and be the decision maker regarding section 47 enquiries.
- Lead the oversight of multi-agency and single agency investigations (as required).
- Attend as part of the MACPT the daily S47 outcome meeting.
- Chair MACE meetings for children who are at significant risk of extra familiar risk and harm.
- Attend relevant Extra Familiar Risk and Harm Panels.
- Work in collaboration with the Family Help Service to ensure robust child protection responses.
- Gather information about whether a child is suffering significant harm, to support decision making.
- Ensure that families have been offered a family group conference for children subject to child protection plans.
- Visit families to prepare them for child protection conferences and support them to prepare a draft plan for the conference.
- Oversee and quality assure the development, review and closure of child protection plans, including formal mid-way reviews.
- Input into onward planning for children and families (including continued support from Family Help and the voluntary sector).
- Provide advice and consultation for practitioners who need multi-agency child protection expertise.
- Oversight of all children allocated to LCPP who are the subject of section 47 enquiries or on a child protection plan.
- Providing support and challenge of operational practice to ensure that intended outcomes for children are being achieved in the child’s timeframe.
- Attend the weekly multi-agency child protection line of sight meetings to contribute to the multi-agency discussions and decision making.
- Attend the weekly leadership meeting to contribute to information being shared and discussion about decisions being made.
- Write or contribute to high quality reports and briefings on practice improvement, policy developments and legislation changes as required.
- Delivery of workforce development activities to support improvement.
- Maintain an understanding of local patterns of significant harm and agency responses and support service improvement.
Essential
- QSW Registered with Social Work England
- Relevant children social care post qualifying training
Experience
- Substantial post qualifying experience within children social care
- Substantial experience of child protection work
- Experience of chairing meetings
- Experience of chairing inter-agency meetings
Knowledge
- Working knowledge of relevant childcare legislation and guidance (including Children’s Act 2004, Working Together 2023, Families First Partnership Program Guide 2025)
- Understanding of assessment of risk and professional judgements relating to risk
- Detailed knowledge of child development, trauma informed practice and behaviour including likely outcomes of interventions
- Good knowledge of child protection policies, procedures and practice
- Knowledge of best practice for children subject to protection plans
Skills and abilities
- Ability to maintain child focus and engage with children and families to understand their needs and safeguarding concerns
- Good organisational and time management skills
- High level of written and verbal communication
- Ability to receive, summarise and analyse information in a way that is accessible to others
- Problem solving and negotiating skills
- Ability to manage conflict and confrontation positively
Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Dorchester employer: Connect2Dorset
Contact Detail:
Connect2Dorset Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Dorchester
✨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 interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current child protection legislation and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you can apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios, especially in multi-agency settings.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Bring examples of your past work in child protection to the table during interviews. Highlight your successes in chairing meetings and leading investigations to demonstrate your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Dorchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Lead Child Protection Practitioner. We want to see how your skills and background fit into our values of being ethical, trustworthy, and caring.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t hold back on sharing your substantial post-qualifying experience in child protection work. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to chair meetings and lead multi-agency collaborations effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to convey your thoughts and ensure your communication skills shine through. Remember, we value high-quality written communication.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Connect2Dorset!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Dorset
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the key legislation and guidance relevant to child protection, such as the Children Act 2004 and Working Together 2023. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your understanding of the legal framework that underpins the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your substantial experience in child protection. Be ready to discuss how you've chaired meetings or led multi-agency investigations, as this will showcase your leadership skills and ability to collaborate effectively.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics and how they approach family-led decision making. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation's values align with yours.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner, strong communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a brief summary of a complex case you've handled, demonstrating your ability to analyse and convey information effectively.