Lead Child Protection Practitioner

This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT), a specialist safeguarding service at the heart of Bradfords child protection arrangements. As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) you will work within the Multi- Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT), providing expert leadership and oversight in identifying, assessing and responding to all forms of significant harm to children, including intra-familial abuse, extra-familial harm and harm experienced online.

Working as part of a co-located multi-agency team comprising professionals from social care, police, health, education and other safeguarding partners, the LCPP plays a pivotal role in child protection decision-making, contributing to joint investigations and ensuring timely, proportionate and effective responses to risk.

Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.

Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.

You’ll also

• Lead, coordinate and chair strategy discussions, providing professional leadership to respond to child protection concerns.
• Lead section 47 enquiries to identify and respond actual or likely significant harm, ensuring that enquiries are planned, coordinated and analysed effectively with partners so that timely, evidence informed decisions are made to safeguard children.
• Chair child protection conferences and determine likelihood of significant harm.
• Analyse multi-agency information to support safe and evidence-based decision making.
• Provide consultation, guidance, mentoring and professional support to colleagues across the service.
• Be committed to family-led decision making and involve families at the earliest opportunity.
• Use research, reflection, audit findings and learning to improve practice, promote innovation and achieve better outcomes for children and families.
• Quality assure assessments, risk analyses, records, recommendations and plans.
• Identify strengths, themes and areas for improvement across practice.
• Build trusting and effective relationships with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies

To be successful in this role you will need:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Substantial post-qualifying experience within statutory children's social care, including a minimum of three years' experience in child protection and safeguarding practice at a senior level.
• To be able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
• Extensive knowledge of child protection legislation, safeguarding frameworks and best practice.
• Significant experience of leading complex child protection enquiries, managing high-risk safeguarding situations and undertaking multi-agency decision-making.
• Experience of chairing complex meetings, including strategy discussions and child protection forums.
• To be able to communicate with confidence, provide constructive challenge and present clear analysis to support decision making.
• To build effective relationships with children and families.
• Experience of working collaboratively with police, health, education and other partners.
• A commitment to restorative, relational, strengths-based and inclusive practice.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business purposes.

You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:

• Enhanced annual leave allowance, please refer to the benefits booklet
• Excellent Local Government pension
• Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
• Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
• Professional development and career progression opportunities