At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead child protection efforts and make impactful decisions for children's safety.
- Company: Join Southampton's innovative Multi-Agency Child Protection Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of safeguarding and make a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Experienced social worker with strong child protection and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 52413 - 58865 £ per year.
- Lead Child Protection Practitioner – Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT)
- Southampton Children's Services
Be part of the future of child protection.
Southampton is transforming the way we safeguard children.
As part of the Families First reforms, we are establishing a new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT), bringing together skilled professionals from Children's Services, Police, Health and Education to deliver a more decisive, collaborative and child-centred response when children are at risk of significant harm.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced child protection practitioner to join us as a Lead Child Protection Practitioner, a specialist role at the heart of safeguarding decision-making.
You will be one of Southampton's recognised child protection experts, helping shape practice, drive high standards and ensure children receive the timely protection they need.
The Opportunity
This is not a traditional social work role.
As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner, you will be the local authority's decision-maker within the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team, leading and overseeing child protection activity across Southampton.
You will
- Lead strategy discussions and oversee and support Section 47 enquiries.
- Analyse complex multi-agency information and make confident, evidence-based decisions.
- Chair Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
- Produce high-quality assessments and reports that stand up to scrutiny in child protection and court arenas.
- Work alongside Family Help practitioners to ensure children remain at the centre of planning and intervention.
- Influence and strengthen multi-agency safeguarding practice across the partnership.
- Be part of a highly skilled team that is redefining child protection practice within Southampton.
This role is for practitioners who enjoy professional challenge, thrive in complex situations and want the opportunity to make decisions that genuinely change children's lives.
About You
You will be an experienced registered social worker with significant recent front-line child protection experience.
We are looking for someone who
- Values relational practice with families, with partners and with colleagues
- Has extensive experience leading child protection investigations and statutory safeguarding work.
- Is confident making autonomous decisions in complex and high-risk situations.
- Can professionally challenge, influence and collaborate with partners.
- Brings exceptional analytical skills and sound judgement.
- Has a strong understanding of legislation, Working Together and current safeguarding research.
- Can engage children, parents and wider family networks with confidence and empathy.
- Is committed to achieving the best outcomes for children through purposeful, relationship-based practice.
Most importantly, you will be someone who combines expertise with curiosity, confidence with humility, and challenge with compassion.
Why Southampton?
We know that outstanding child protection relies on outstanding practitioners.
In Southampton, we are investing in our workforce, embedding the Families First approach and building services that place relationships, expertise and multi-agency collaboration at the centre of everything we do.
Joining our new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team means
- Helping shape one of the most significant developments in safeguarding practice.
- Working alongside highly skilled professionals from across the partnership.
- Having the autonomy and authority to use your expertise.
- Being part of a service that values innovation, reflective practice and continuous improvement.
- Influencing child protection practice across the whole system.
- Making a lasting difference to the lives of Southampton's children and families.
What we can offer you
Salary
The salary band for this role is £52,413 - £58,865 per annum. The starting salary is
£52,413 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton. gov. uk)
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join Southampton's Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and help us ensure every child is safe, heard and protected.
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Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Join our vibrant partnership of six schools in Southampton and the New Forest, where we prioritise a rich learning experience for every child. As a Classroom Play Assistant, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive team dedicated to nurturing confident learners and responsible citizens. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to safeguarding, we offer a fulfilling work culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Southampton
✨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 Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Lead Child Protection Practitioner in Southampton
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 Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton 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 Southampton 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.
