Salary £49,817 - £53,051 + a temporary 5% R&R allowance.
Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
Be the difference - Join Our Multi Agency Child Protection Team
At Gateshead, we are ambitious for children and families.
As part of our implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme and the development of our Multi-Agency Child Protection Team, we are investing in a new generation of safeguarding leadership roles that strengthen decision-making, improve family participation and ensure children are safer for longer.
We are looking for experienced and highly skilled social work professionals to join us as Lead Child Protection Practitioners (LCPPs).
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of child protection practice in Gateshead, influencing decisions at the most critical points in a child's journey whilst supporting practitioners, managers and safeguarding partners to achieve the very best outcomes for children.
Building safer futures through partnership and professional courage.
What you will get to do
The Lead Child Protection Practitioner is a specialist safeguarding leadership role providing expertise, oversight, challenge and professional support across Children's Social Care and the wider safeguarding partnership.
You will play a central role in strengthening the quality of safeguarding analysis and decision-making, ensuring that children experiencing, or at risk of, significant harm receive timely and effective protection.
Working within locality-based teams, you will:
- Attend and contribute to Strategy Discussions, providing expert safeguarding analysis and threshold advice.
- Facilitate Day 5 Reflective Reviews and Day 10 Decision-Making Checkpoints to strengthen professional analysis and collective decision-making.
- Meet with children, parents and carers before Initial Child Protection Conferences, helping families understand the process and supporting meaningful participation.
- Chair Initial Child Protection Conferences, ensuring robust, child-centred and evidence-informed decision-making.
- Provide oversight of Child Protection Plans, identifying drift and delay and ensuring plans remain focused on improving outcomes for children.
- Provide professional challenge, consultation, coaching and support to practitioners, managers and safeguarding partners.
- Contribute to quality assurance, service improvement, workforce development and safeguarding learning across the partnership.
Unlike traditional conference chair roles, this position combines oversight, leadership and meaningful engagement with families, practitioners and safeguarding partners. Gateshead's evaluation demonstrated that this hybrid approach strengthens safeguarding practice, improves workforce confidence and enhances family engagement.
Compassionate leadership. Robust safeguarding. Better outcomes.
What you will bring (Essential Criteria)
- A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- Extensive experience of statutory children's social care and a proven track record of high-quality child protection practice.
- Significant post-qualifying experience within children's social care.
- Extensive experience of child protection investigations, risk assessment and safeguarding decision-making.
- The confidence to provide professional challenge and influence practice across a range of services and agencies.
- Experience of leading or chairing complex professional meetings.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to make defensible safeguarding decisions in complex situations.
- Experience of quality assurance, auditing, workforce development and service improvement.
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or actively working towards this), alongside the ability to use systems effectively and manage performance, budgets and recording requirements
Most importantly, you will be passionate about safeguarding children, strengthening professional practice and ensuring that the child's lived experience remains at the centre of everything we do.
If successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure
What’s in it for you
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience Salary £49,817 - £53,051 + a temporary 5% R&R allowance.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
- Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
- Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Everyone's welcome here
Were an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. At Gateshead Council we're an employer who embraces, and welcomes diversity, who's truly inclusive and who demonstrates equality for all. We'll go the extra mile so that our approach is representative of the communities we serve and each other. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
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Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Gateshead employer: Gateshead Regeneration Partnership
Gateshead Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee growth through training and development opportunities, we ensure that our team members feel valued and empowered. Join us in making a meaningful impact in Gateshead, where your skills as a Roofer will contribute to the safety and quality of living for our community.
Contact Details:
Gateshead Regeneration Partnership Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Gateshead
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like Gateshead Regeneration Partnership often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gateshead Regeneration Partnership
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Gateshead Regeneration Partnership. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at Gateshead Regeneration Partnership.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at Gateshead Regeneration Partnership.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at Gateshead Regeneration Partnership.
