At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child protection initiatives and collaborate with multi-agency teams to improve outcomes for families.
- Company: Join a dedicated council committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, professional development opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth across various locations in Cambridgeshire.
- Why this job: Use your expertise to shape child protection practices and support frontline practitioners.
- Qualifications: Experience in child protection, strong decision-making skills, and a passion for improving lives.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Child Protection professional, Team Manager, Child Protection Conference Chair or Senior Practitioner looking to further your career development?
Do you want the opportunity to use your expertise to support the development of a new Families First model?
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and their families?
We'd love to hear from you.
As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP), you will work collaboratively with managers, social workers, colleagues within the Family Help Service and partner agencies as part of a Multi-Agency Child Protection Team.
This is a senior practice leadership role with a focus on strengthening and promoting high-quality child protection practice across the partnership.
You will provide professional oversight, scrutiny and challenge to support effective decision-making, consistency of practice and positive outcomes for children.
This role carries significant responsibility for safeguarding decision-making and requires sound professional judgement, confidence and substantial safeguarding expertise.
A central aspect of the role is making complex threshold decisions for children suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
You will lead multi-agency decision-making forums, including decisions relating to Section 47 enquiries, determining when multi-agency investigations are required, chairing strategy discussions and child protection conferences, and making recommendations on threshold for Child Protection and Child in Need plans.
You will ensure safeguarding processes are robust, supportive, transparent and child-focused, while also supporting frontline practitioners through professional advice, guidance, consultation and mentoring.
While this is not a line management role and does not have direct responsibility for a team, you will be expected to influence practice through your expertise, consultation and professional leadership, supporting practitioners and managers to make safe and effective decisions for children and families.
This role commences in a pilot scheme within East Cambridgeshire with a mix of office, based at Noble House in Ely, and home working.
Beyond the pilot, more LCPPs will be recruited to various other locations across Cambridgeshire and you will have the opportunity to look at these alternative locations.
There is also an expectation to attend conferences and potentially home visits across the county.
Interviews will be held in person at New Shire Hall, Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, the week commencing 7 September 2026.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
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Lead Child Protection Practitioner employer: Grafham Water Center
Grafham Water Center is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community engagement and personal growth. As a District Library Lead in Ely, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside opportunities for professional development in the public service sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner
✨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 Grafham Water Center.
✨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 Grafham Water Center!
✨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 Grafham Water Center, 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 Grafham Water Center 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 Lead Child Protection Practitioner
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 Grafham Water Center:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Grafham Water Center! 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 Grafham Water Center
✨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.
