At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child protection practices and support families in need.
- Company: Barnet Council, committed to community welfare and development.
- Benefits: 31 days annual leave, flexible working, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on continuous learning and improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
The predicted salary is between 64062 - 70059 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Lead Child Protection Practitioners to join our Multi-Agency Safety Teams, leading high-quality practice for children and families who need us most. The Barnet Multi Agency Safety Team supports children experiencing both intra-familial and extra-familial harm. We welcome applications from LCPPs who have a particular interest in contextual safeguarding and working with children where risks are present outside the family home. If you would like to be considered for a specialist focus in this area, please highlight this in your application.
In Barnet, we are committed to creating a culture where practice excellence, strong relationships, and continuous learning underpin everything we do. We provide a supportive environment in which practitioners can thrive, delivering meaningful, lasting change for children and families. As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) you will deliver a consistently high standard of child-centred, strengths-based and relationship-focused safeguarding practice to children, young people and families. You will be part of a specialist team culture that is inclusive, reflective, and focused on continuous improvement, where high support is matched with high challenge.
You will work in partnership with children, families and professionals internal and external to the council, leading on section 47 enquiries, investigations, child protection (CP) conferences, family-led planning and practice, ensuring that all work is timely, analytical, and grounded in the lived experience of the child. Working collaboratively with partners, you will champion approaches which keep children safe from harm, build resilience and support families to make sustainable change. You will be supported by a strong workforce development programme, enabling you to grow as a practitioner while embedding Barnet’s values and practice standards.
About you
- Strong knowledge of legislation, policy, and safeguarding practice, with the ability to apply this confidently in complex situations.
- Excellent communication skills, leading clear, analytical, and impactful multi-agency meetings, investigations, assessments and plans.
- A strong track record of improving outcomes for children and families and influencing multi-agency partnerships.
- A commitment to relational, strengths-based and restorative practice, ensuring children and families are meaningfully involved.
- The ability to lead with integrity, curiosity and compassion, in an environment where staff feel valued, supported and appropriately challenged.
- A passion for delivering high-quality, equitable services that recognise and respond to diversity within our communities.
You must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
What we offer
- 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays.
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents.
- A comprehensive Flexible Working Policy which supports work-life balance by empowering staff and management to make decisions around when, where, and how work is done.
- A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more.
- Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership.
- Excellent training and development opportunities.
- Employee well-being training programs including confidential employee assistance.
How to apply
Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact.
Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.
To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview.
Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.
All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of four months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed. Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.
Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.
Lead Child Protection Practitioner in London employer: London Borough of Barnet
Barnet Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and work-life balance, particularly in this term-time role at St Catherine's Catholic Primary School. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community, all while enjoying the vibrant environment of Barnet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner in London
✨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 London Borough of Barnet.
✨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 London Borough of Barnet!
✨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 London Borough of Barnet, 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 London Borough of Barnet 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 in London
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 London Borough of Barnet:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Barnet! 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 London Borough of Barnet
✨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.
