At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in child protection within a dynamic multi-agency team.
- Company: Hackney Council, a progressive local authority in vibrant London.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, commitment to diversity, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture focused on anti-racism and community equity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: Social Work degree, registration with Social Work England, and substantial experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values. Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti‑racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there; we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.
Hackney’s Children and Families Service is looking for a Lead Child Protection Practitioner to undertake a new role within our Multi‑Agency Child Protection Team within the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service. These roles provide an opportunity to further shape the quality assurance and practice across our Children and Family services, for children in need of protection.
We are looking for a dynamic, innovative, committed, and passionate worker who will bring a comprehensive knowledge and skill base to the challenge of working with vulnerable children and families, and who will have sound knowledge of services from the front door, through to long‑term work, and looked‑after children and care leavers. Our Service seeks to actively contribute to organisational learning through recognising, promoting and supporting best practice and service development, retaining a clear focus upon positive outcomes and stability for children and families across the borough.
Hackney is proud of its organisational learning culture and strives to find innovative ways of engaging and facilitating change with children and their families. We have excellent local services and a thriving cultural sector, making this one of London’s most popular areas to live, work, and visit. Our challenge is to ensure Hackney’s economic growth leaves no one behind and that we harness opportunities to transform the lives of local people.
As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.
For this role, the following requirements are essential:
- a relevant professional Social Work degree or equivalent
- current registration with Social Work England
- substantial post‑qualifying experience
- experience of managing and developing staff and best practice
- evidence of continuing professional development
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti‑racist behaviour.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available.
Closing date for applications: 15 November 2026 (22:59)
Interview date: W/C 30 November 2026
We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.
Lead Child Protection Practitioner in London employer: London Borough of Hackney
Hackney Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. As part of the Safety, Health, Environmental Quality (SHEQ) team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on community safety while benefiting from comprehensive training and growth opportunities in the heart of London.
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 Hackney.
✨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 Hackney!
✨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 Hackney, 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 Hackney 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 Hackney:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Hackney! 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 Hackney
✨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.
