The London Borough of Lambeth is embarking on an exciting period of change as we deliver a series of ambitious Children’s Reforms Programmes – including Families First, Best Start Family Hubs, Best Start in Life and SEND Reforms. We strive to help every child thrive and through the reforms we are reshaping our future support for children, young people and families across the borough.
As part of the Families First Programme, we are building a practice system where relationships are key, working alongside children and families, encouraging family-led decision making and offering multi-disciplinary help when it’s needed. Lambeth Council is seeking Lead Child Protection Practitioners to join our Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) and play a central role in strengthening statutory child protection practice across Children’s Services.
This is a specialist role for a qualified and registered social worker who can provide expert leadership across Section 47 child protection enquiries, strategy discussions, child protection conferences and multi-agency safeguarding activity. Working alongside partners from police, health, education and wider children’s services, the postholder will help ensure that children and young people are protected from significant harm and that families receive clear, timely and proportionate intervention. The role is directly aligned to the Lead Child Protection Practitioner Standards, which set out the knowledge and skills required to effectively lead child protection processes.
The postholder will work within a co-located Multi-Agency Child Protection Team, exercising the local authority’s statutory child protection duties in line with the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, the London Child Protection Procedures and Lambeth’s local safeguarding arrangements. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and coordinating Section 47 child protection enquiries across Children’s Services
- Chairing strategy meetings, child protection conferences and other complex multi-agency safeguarding discussions
- Providing expert consultation, guidance and professional challenge to social workers, managers and partner agencies
- Contributing to protection and safety planning that is clear, purposeful and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people
- Modelling relational, strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally competent practice with children, families and professionals
This post is offered on a fixed-term or secondment basis for 12 months. The role operates on a hybrid working model, with the majority of time spent within the borough working closely with children, families, social workers, managers and multi-agency safeguarding partners.
Shortlisting will take place on 5th/6th October, with interviews scheduled for 25th/26th October.
About you
Lambeth is looking for a confident and experienced practitioner who can bring professional authority, sound judgement and a strong commitment to child-centred safeguarding. The successful candidate will have significant operational experience in statutory child protection and a strong understanding of intra-familial and extra-familial harm, including adolescent exploitation and risk outside the home. The ideal candidate will:
- Hold a recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration
- Have significant recent experience in front-line statutory child protection practice
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory guidance, the London Child Protection Procedures and relevant multi-agency safeguarding processes
- Have experience of chairing or leading complex child protection meetings, including strategy discussions, child protection conferences or risk outside the home meetings
- Demonstrate strong risk analysis, professional curiosity and the ability to hold complexity, uncertainty and multiple hypotheses
- Be able to work collaboratively with families and partners while providing clear professional challenge when needed
- Be committed to inclusive and culturally competent practice, ensuring anti-discriminatory engagement with children and families
This post requires an enhanced DBS check, a satisfactory health and work record, and the ability to travel for business purposes where required. Lambeth is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
About Lambeth
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London’s largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community.
With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas’s Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment. The Civic Centre is just a short walk from the main underground and train station.
"Lambeth – a borough with social and climate justice at its heart. By harnessing the power and pride of our people and partnerships, we will proactively tackle inequalities so that children and young people can have the best start in life and so everyone can feel safe and thrive in a place of opportunity."
In Lambeth, we offer our social workers:
- Fantastic, modern working environment in the award-winning Lambeth Town Hall and Civic Centre buildings
- Competitive Salary, often including a generous market supplement (depending on the role)
- Up to 35 days annual leave, dependent upon continuous service
- 5 Minutes from London Underground and excellent transport links into the centre of London
- Cycle to Work Scheme (including City Bike Hire scheme)
- A permanent senior leadership team in QA
- Manageable caseloads that enable connection with families
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Lead Child Protection Practitioner - Multi-Agency Child Protection Team in London 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
