Lead Child Protection Practitioner

About The Role C&YP Lead Child Protection Practitioner Job Title: Lead Child Protection Practitioner Salary: HC10 £46,142 - £50,269 plus £5,000 market forces supplement (£51,142 - £55,269) Welcome payment:£10,000 Contract: Permanent Hours: 37 Location: Hereford Relocation package: up to £10,000 Closing date: 04/05/2026 We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Practitioner to join our Multi‑Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT). The role is central to safeguarding, working with partners to deliver timely, effective and child‑centred responses to risk. The Role * Provide practice leadership and oversight on complex child protection cases. * Support the decision‑making and quality assurance of Section 47 enquiries. * Work closely with partners including police, health and education to ensure robust multi‑agency safeguarding responses. * Offer coaching, mentoring and reflective supervision support to social workers. * Be part of strategy discussions and meetings, ensuring clear risk analysis and planning. * Drive continuous improvement and contribute to service development. About You * Registered with Social Work England and holding a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree in Social Work, DipSW or CQSW). * Has substantial experience in frontline child protection and safeguarding. * Demonstrates strong analytical, risk assessment and decision‑making skills. * Has experience of multi‑agency working at a strategic and operational level. * Can support and challenge practice to ensure excellent outcomes for children. * Is passionate about developing others and embedding high standards of practice. We Offer * Competitive salary ranging from £46,142 to £50,269 per annum, plus up to £5,000 market rate supplement. * Welcome payment: £10,000. * Relocation support up to £10,000. * Professional development: protected time and budget. * Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). * Clear career progression pathways. * Annual Leave: 31 days pro‑rata plus bank holidays, with option to purchase an additional 10 days. * Flexible working, including job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working. * Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support and counselling). * Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements). * Access to additional retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. Reasonable Adjustments For reasonable adjustments or alternative application methods, contact enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk. If shortlisted, the Children & Young People Recruitment Team will support any required adjustments. Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations * Candidates who indicate a disability will be prioritized under the Disability Confident scheme. * Candidates who indicate service as an Armed Forces veteran or reservist will be supported under the Armed Forces Covenant. * Candidates who indicate a Herefordshire care leaver status will receive support under the care leaver commitment. We expect all staff, visitors and volunteers to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre‑employment checks. Sponsorship We can provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for successful candidates who are already living in the UK with at least two years of UK‑based experience in the relevant team or discipline. The council is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas candidates requiring sponsorship should not apply. Contact RecruitmentCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk J-18808-Ljbffr