At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding practices and support teams in protecting vulnerable children and families.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading charity making a real difference in mental health and social support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, life assurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team during an exciting growth phase.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on your community while growing your expertise in safeguarding.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in safeguarding and child protection.
The predicted salary is between 36606 - 39424 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham
Working Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £36,606 - £39,424
Make a real difference in your community. Do you have substantial post-qualification experience in children and families social work, including safeguarding and child protection? Are you passionate about making a real difference for vulnerable children, adults and families? At Aquarius, part of Waythrough, we support people and communities to overcome the harms caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling. We’re looking for an experienced and confident Safeguarding Lead Practitioner to provide expert safeguarding guidance, training and support across our services.
About the Role
As our Safeguarding Lead Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in promoting best practice, supporting colleagues with complex safeguarding concerns, and working closely with multi‑agency partners to protect children and adults at risk.
- Provide expert advice, supervision and training on safeguarding matters
- Support staff with risk assessment, escalation and safeguarding decision‑making
- Attend and contribute to multi‑agency safeguarding meetings
- Develop strong relationships with statutory and voluntary sector partners
- Keep teams up to date with local and national safeguarding developments
- Represent Aquarius at strategic safeguarding forums across the region
About You
We’re looking for a qualified social worker (CQSW, DipSW, CSS or equivalent) with significant experience in children’s social work, safeguarding and child protection.
You’ll bring:
- Extensive knowledge of child and adult safeguarding legislation and frameworks
- Experience assessing and managing safeguarding risk
- Strong multi‑agency working and partnership skills
- Experience delivering training and supporting professional development
- Excellent decision‑making, communication and report‑writing skills
- The ability to work confidently in a fast‑paced environment and manage competing priorities
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to influence safeguarding practice across a diverse range of services, including substance misuse, gambling and mental health support. You’ll be part of a collaborative organisation undergoing an exciting period of growth and development, with opportunities to contribute strategically and develop your expertise across children, young people and adult safeguarding.
If you’re ready to use your safeguarding expertise to make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community. Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family‑friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
Closing Date: 2026-08-19
Safeguarding Lead Practitioner in Birmingham employer: Humankind Charity
Humankind Charity is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a significant impact in the Sheffield community. With a strong focus on peer-led support, employees are encouraged to share their experiences and grow professionally in a collaborative and inclusive work culture. The organisation offers flexible working hours, comprehensive training, and opportunities for career advancement, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about helping others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safeguarding Lead Practitioner in Birmingham
✨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 Humankind Charity.
✨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 Humankind Charity!
✨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 Humankind Charity, 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 Humankind Charity 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 Safeguarding Lead Practitioner in Birmingham
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 Humankind Charity:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Humankind Charity! 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 Humankind Charity
✨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.
