At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to protect children and enhance safeguarding practices in Plymouth.
- Company: Plymouth City Council, committed to child welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping safeguarding practices.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, 3+ years experience in child protection, strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 58973 - 63545 £ per year.
Plymouth City Council is inviting applications from experienced and passionate practitioners for our Service Manager (MACPT), to support the implementation of the Families First Partnership reforms in Plymouth. This is a pivotal position, providing expert leadership within our Front Door, our new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and the wider safeguarding services, which ensure that children in Plymouth are protected through high quality, timely and collaborative safeguarding practice.
This role will oversee 8 Lead Child Protection Practitioners as part of the MACPT. Responsibilities include:
- Leading the partnership contributions to the MACPT and developing the team in line with the FFP programme guidance.
- Acting as a key decision maker for disputes or in complex cases.
- Facilitating a Family Led approach to conferences and improved partnership working with families.
- Overseeing the LADO service.
- Working with the HoS to ensure robust performance to all Child Protection processes and the quality of interventions.
This role enables some creativity to further build the MACPT and the new LCPP roles ready for full implementation in March 2027.
We welcome interest from practitioners who can demonstrate:
- A Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England (at least 3 years qualified).
- Significant frontline child protection experience and strong understanding of statutory safeguarding frameworks.
- Excellent analytical, communication and decision‑making skills.
- A commitment to restorative, strength‑based practice.
- Emotional resilience and the ability to lead in challenging situations.
Candidates must bring substantial frontline child protection experience and an in‑depth knowledge of the statutory and legislative framework.
This is an exciting strand of the national reforms and provides an opportunity to influence practice at a strategic and operational level, ensuring that children in Plymouth receive the right help at the right time. You will be a key driver of quality, consistency and partnership working across the safeguarding system.
We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.
The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is Enhanced Check + DBS Children’s & Adult's Barred List.
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
Service Manager Multi-Agency Child Protection Team in Plymouth employer: PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Plymouth City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for professionals in child protection. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and training programmes that empower our staff to excel in their roles. Working in Plymouth not only provides the chance to make a meaningful impact on the community but also allows you to be part of a forward-thinking team that values restorative practices and innovative strategies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager Multi-Agency Child Protection Team in Plymouth
✨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 PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL.
✨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 PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL!
✨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 PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL, 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 PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL 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 Service Manager Multi-Agency Child Protection Team in Plymouth
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 PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL! 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 PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
✨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.
