At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child protection efforts, guiding teams to ensure children's safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Join South Gloucestershire Council, a Good-rated service committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Generous leave, employee wellbeing support, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; travel required for meetings and family visits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing your career in social care.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with substantial child protection experience and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
How you'll make a difference
In South Gloucestershire, we are proud that our Childrens Social Care service is rated Good by Ofsted.
We are equally committed to continuing to learn, develop and improve, so that children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time.
As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner within the Multi-Agency Child Protection team (MACPT), you will provide specialist child protection expertise, leadership and oversight when there are concerns that a child may be suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.
You will support practitioners and safeguarding partners to make timely, evidence-based and defensible decisions, helping ensure child protection processes are clear, proportionate, relational and consistent across agencies.
What you will be doing
You will not case-hold children and families, instead you will strengthen practice by guiding, advising, coordinating and decision-making within the child protection process, working alongside Family Help Lead Practitioners, Social Care colleagues and safeguarding partners.
Chairing strategy discussions and Child Protection Conferences, you will oversee Section 47 enquiries and support purposeful Child Protection Plans that are centred on the childs lived experience.
You will have the opportunity to influence high-quality child protection practice across South Gloucestershire, strengthen multi-agency decision making and help ensure children and families experience clear, purposeful and proportionate safeguarding processes.
- Provide specialist child protection expertise within the MACPT, supporting clear, consistent and defensible safeguarding decisions.
- Facilitate and chair strategy discussions and Child Protection Conferences, ensuring the right information is shared and the right partners are involved.
- Work with safeguarding partners to apply significant harm and Section 47 thresholds consistently, including decisions on single or joint agency enquiries.
- Build professional confidence across Family Help, social care, police, health, education and wider safeguarding partners.
- Contribute to reflective practice, audit, learning and practice improvement across the MACPT and wider safeguarding system.
- What we need from you
- Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration and substantial post-qualifying statutory child protection experience.
- Expert knowledge of child protection law, statutory guidance and local procedures, with confidence applying significant harm and Section 47 thresholds consistently.
- Proven ability to lead and chair complex multi-agency safeguarding meetings, including strategy discussions and Child Protection Conferences.
- Skilled in overseeing the child protection process, analysing complex risk and evidence, balancing professional views and making clear, defensible decisions.
- Strong collaborative multi-agency working skills, supporting effective information sharing, coordinated partner contributions and a shared understanding of risk.
- Committed to child and family participation while managing complex workloads, urgent safeguarding decisions, statutory timescales and accurate records.
- Bring clarity, confidence and professional curiosity to a high-volume and complex safeguarding environment, supporting consistent thresholds, reducing drift and helping partners work together effectively in the best interests of children and families.
- What you need to know
- Although this post is advertised as a full-time position, we encourage and welcome applications from experienced practitioners who may be seeking part time, job share or flexible working arrangements.
- Please note that due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained.
- You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area, so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle insured for business use or have an alternative suitable means of travel.
- The role involves regular attendance at multi-agency meetings, including strategy discussions and Child Protection Conferences, and may include visits to children and families where necessary to inform decision making or support safe participation in child protection processes.
Interviews are currently anticipated to be held week commencing 24th August.
- How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
- As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave
(pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
- We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work.
We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
- We invest in the careers of our people, and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps our people make the greatest long-term difference in their work.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
- We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
- Were providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.
We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
Were making a difference, be part of it!
To view the full job description, please click the link
Lead Child Protection Practitioner (MACPT)
Lead Child Protection Practitioner (MACPT) - Yate employer: South Gloucestershire Council
South Gloucestershire Council is an excellent employer for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and positive change. Join us in a role where your contributions directly impact the community and foster meaningful growth.
Contact Details:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner (MACPT) - Yate
✨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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 Lead Child Protection Practitioner (MACPT) - Yate
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 South Gloucestershire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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.
