At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in child protection, ensuring strong, child-centred decisions.
- Company: Join Haringey Council, a vibrant and diverse borough committed to community and creativity.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, modern tech, continuous learning, and access to clinical support.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative journey in a borough celebrating culture and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification, substantial experience in child protection, and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work - the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We'll be celebrating all this and more as the "rebel borough" when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture. Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey's people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.
About the Role
Haringey is building a Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT), and we need senior leaders of practice to make it work. As a Senior Lead Child Protection Practitioner, you will lead a group of Lead Child Protection Practitioners (LCPPs), set the standard for high-support, high-challenge practice, and make sure that multi-agency decisions are strong, consistent, and child-centred. You will also be a bridge between day-to-day practice and our wider safeguarding priorities, helping us get the new model right as we grow it across the borough.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, supporting, and challenging the LCPPs in your cluster, including regular reflective supervision
- Quality assuring child protection decisions, strategy discussions, conferences, and plans to ensure practice is consistent and defensible
- Leading the most complex and high-risk child protection decision-making, and chairing the most difficult conferences
- Building strong working relationships with police, health, and education colleagues in the team, and with MASH, Family Help, and specialist teams
- Using data, audit, and feedback from children and families to drive improvement and help measure the impact of the team
About the Team
The MACPT brings social work, police, health, and education expertise together in one team, based at 48 Station Road, Wood Green. The team leads strategy discussions and section 47 enquiries, chairs child protection conferences, and oversees child protection plans. MASH remains the front door for referrals. The team is being introduced in phases, one cluster at a time, learning from each phase as it goes. Each cluster is led by a Senior LCPP working with two LCPPs.
About you
Haringey is looking for a senior child protection practitioner with a track record of leading others, making sound decisions under pressure, and building trust across agencies. The successful candidate will bring substantial experience in statutory child protection and demonstrate a genuine commitment to working in partnership with families and to Haringey's Dignity for All approach.
The ideal candidate will:
- Hold a recognised social work qualification and current registration with Social Work England
- Have substantial post-qualifying experience in statutory child protection, including section 47 enquiries and child protection conferences
- Have experience of supervising, leading, or managing practitioners, for example as a team manager, assistant team manager, senior practitioner, or child protection advisor
- Have experience of chairing or leading complex multi-agency meetings and influencing partners' decisions
- Have experience of quality assurance, audit, or practice improvement, and of using evidence to change practice
- Possess thorough knowledge of the Children Act 1989, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and the London Child Protection Procedures
- Be able to hold risk with confidence, challenge senior colleagues respectfully, and support others to do the same
The following are desirable but not essential:
- Experience of Signs of Safety, or a real interest in working this way
- Experience of extra-familial harm and contextual safeguarding
- Experience of setting up or developing a new service or model
- Experience of working in a co-located, multi-agency team
At Haringey Council, we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work. We recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
About Haringey
Haringey is a vibrant and diverse borough located in the northern part of Greater London. With a rich history, diverse population, and a mix of residential, commercial, and green spaces, Haringey offers a unique and dynamic living experience. Haringey Council has been through a journey of improvement over the past ten years, with continued aspirations to fulfil the first corporate priority of enabling every child the best start in life. We are looking for social workers that are ready for a fresh challenge, with the ability to make a real difference to the residents of Haringey.
We are investing in creating a better borough for all our residents and bettering the lives of children and young people in Haringey is our first corporate priority. With a population of approximately 250,000 people and a growing population of 0-19-year-olds, we are a diverse and fast-changing borough and tomorrow’s leaders; artists and innovators are busy growing up here. Haringey is transforming its services for children and young people, and have already made exciting, innovative changes as we strive for excellence in all we do.
Our offer to staff includes:
- Competitive remuneration packages
- Investment in modern technology
- Great Business support and experienced caring Team Managers
- Haringey Academy - invests in continuous skills and learning development
- Access to clinical support from Family Psychology Mutual, Anna Freud and Tavistock
- Travel Season ticket loans
- A commitment to achieving excellence for our children
Discover the benefits of a social work career, then browse London's social work jobs!
Senior 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
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lead Child Protection Practitioner - Multi-Agency Child Protection Team 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 Social Work for Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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✨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 Senior Lead Child Protection Practitioner - Multi-Agency Child Protection Team 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 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.
