At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child protection enquiries and collaborate with multi-agency teams to safeguard children.
- Company: Join the Royal Borough of Greenwich, a vibrant community committed to innovative social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, training opportunities, and discounts on local services.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative programme shaping the future of children's services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your social work career.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in child protection and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
As part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich's ambitious Families First Social Care Reform Programme, we are recruiting a Lead Child Protection Practitioner to join our Multi Agency Child Protection Teams.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior practitioner looking to take the next step in helping to shape innovative services that deliver outstanding outcomes for children, young people and families.
The Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) is a qualified social worker with significant experience, knowledge and expertise in child protection.
The role is responsible for carrying out the local authority's statutory duties in relation to child protection, in line with the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together 2026, the Families First reforms and relevant statutory guidance.
Working closely with designated partners from the Police, Health and Education — who are co-located within the specialist Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) — the LCPP leads Section 47 Child Protection Enquiries across Children's Services, covering both intra-familial and extra-familial significant harm.
This involves collaboration with Lead Practitioners across Family Help, Corporate Parenting Services, Adolescent Wellbeing and Safeguarding, and Disabled Children and Young People Services.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a period of transformation and innovation, helping to shape the future of children's services through the Families First reforms.
If you're ready to combine your social work expertise with leadership and service development, we'd love to hear from you.
Applicants are welcome to express an interest in a particular service area as part of their application.
Key responsibilities
- Leading Section 47 Child Protection Enquiries across Children's Services, covering both intra-familial and extra-familial significant harm
- Chairing Strategy Meetings and Child Protection Conferences to ensure a coordinated multi-agency response throughout the child protection process
- Ensuring child protection practice is consistently of a high standard, meeting both national and local expectations
- Assessing risks, making informed decisions, and developing effective protection and safety plans in collaboration with Lead Practitioners across relevant service areas
- Ensuring children and young people are safeguarded, their needs are properly understood, and the right support and interventions are in place to achieve the best possible outcomes
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Catrin Gruffydd Jones at Catrin. Gruffydd Jones@royalgreenwich. gov. uk.
About you
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is looking for a qualified and experienced social worker who brings significant expertise in child protection, alongside strong leadership and multi-agency working skills.
Candidates will be continuously assessed against the council's staff values throughout the recruitment process, and those who demonstrate views and behaviours that do not meet these standards may have their application withdrawn.
- The ideal candidate will
- Hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England
- Have significant experience, knowledge and expertise in child protection practice
- Have experience of leading Section 47 Child Protection Enquiries
- Have experience of chairing Strategy Meetings and Child Protection Conferences
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together 2026, and relevant statutory guidance
- Be able to assess risk, make informed decisions, and develop effective protection and safety plans
- Have experience of working within or alongside multi-agency partnerships, including Police, Health and Education
- Demonstrate a commitment to achieving outstanding outcomes for children, young people and families
Royal Borough of Greenwich values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this.
Applications are encouraged from all sections of the community.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About Greenwich
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is a vibrant area of Southeast London with a rich history and diverse culture.
The town of Greenwich itself is a UNESCO world heritage site that is home to the Prime Meridian Line, Royal Observatory, and the Cutty Sark ship.
In 2012, the borough was named as the first new Royal Borough for more than 80 years.
We are looking to recruit social workers, who are registered with Social Work England, to join our stable and committed Children’s Services workforce.
Discover more in our video below.
With excellent training and great benefits, Royal Greenwich is the ideal place to progress your social worker career. Our generous benefits package includes:
- A senior leadership team who take time to know front-line staff, listen to their views and celebrate excellent work.
- Small teams allowing more direct support and supervision time from your Team Leader
- An innovative and aspirational Practice Academy dedicated to providing creative learning solutions and a comprehensive offer to support you to achieve your career ambitions including bursaries to undertake systemic training
- Access to Research in Practice website, training and resources and new initiatives
- Rota Days equating (FTE) to an additional 10 days off per year
- Travel costs worth £1k+, OR essential car user car parking (close to the workplace).
- Royal Greenwich Keyworker housing (after being employed for six months, subject to application and meeting criteria).
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Greenwich One Card gives you access to a wide range of discounts on products and services at participating local businesses, shops, cafes and restaurants.
Discounted gym membership.
- Opportunities to join cross-sectional staff Task and Finish groups to improve practice and procedures.
- Staff networks and forums to support and encourage networking between staff with shared interests.
We have an ongoing commitment to supporting staff and ensuring equality and diversity in the workplace.
Make a difference to our children’s futures, your future and ours.
Discover the benefits of a social work career, then browse London's social work jobs!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Lead Child Protection Practitioner - Multi Agency Child Protection Teams employer: London Social Work for Children
Haringey Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and community engagement. With a strong commitment to professional development through the Haringey Academy and access to clinical support, social workers are empowered to make meaningful impacts in the lives of children and families. Located in the dynamic borough of Haringey, employees benefit from a supportive environment, competitive remuneration, and the opportunity to be part of a transformative journey towards excellence in children's services.
Contact Details:
London Social Work for Children Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner - Multi Agency Child Protection Teams
✨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 Social Work for Children.
✨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 Social Work for Children!
✨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 Social Work for Children, 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 Social Work for Children 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 - Multi Agency Child Protection Teams
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 Social Work for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Social Work for Children! 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 Social Work for Children
✨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.
