Lead Child Protection Practitoner & Independent Reviewing Officer

Lead Child Protection Practitioner/Independent Reviewing Officer

Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities’, for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join the Children’s Safeguarding Unit.

The Children's Safeguarding Unit plays a key role in ensuring that children and young people across Northumberland are protected, supported and able to achieve positive outcomes. The service works in partnership with children, families and multi-agency professionals to monitor and review plans, promote high standards of practice and ensure that children remain at the centre of decision-making.

We welcome applicants who are flexible and adaptable. While successful candidates will be appointed to either the Lead Child Protection Practitioner or Independent Reviewing Officer role, the Safeguarding Unit operates as a single service. As service needs evolve or change, members of the team may be required to move into the other specialism, to meet service demands and ensure effective service delivery.

About the role:

We have 4 full time, fixed-term contracts for 2 years, supporting the service through key developments associated with the Families First Partnership Programme, including the implementation of the Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP) role which will replace our current Child Protection Advisor role.

As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner, you will provide expert advice and guidance to alternatively qualified workers, social workers, managers and multi-agency partners throughout the child protection pathway. You will also support practice learning and play a key role in how we transform how children at risk of significant harm are supported and protected, ensuring that decisions, actions and plans are robust, timely and subject to effective review.

As an Independent Reviewing Officer, you will be the independent voice for children and young people, ensuring their views and experiences meaningfully shape decisions about their care. You will have a fundamental role in promoting their safety, wellbeing and outcomes by ensuring plans are appropriate, timely and responsive to their needs.

Whichever specialism you are appointed to, these roles are central to holding the Local Authority and partner agencies to account. You will monitor children's plans, champion high-quality practice, and drive improved outcomes for children, young people and their families.

We promote flexible working where this aligns with service needs. You can work from a range of locations, including home; however, meetings with children, young people and families are expected to take place in person.

What you’ll be doing:

• As an LCPP, contribute to strategy meetings, support Section 47 enquires, chair Child Protection Conferences, ensuring plans address the key issues, are robustly challenged, and are effective in reducing risk and improving outcomes for children.
• As an IRO, chair cared for children reviews, pathway plan reviews and adoption reviews, while contributing to care planning ensuring plans remain focused on achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.

In both roles:

• Ensure the views, wishes and experiences of children and young people are heard, understood and influence planning and decision-making. 
• Monitor and review children's plans, holding the Local Authority and partner agencies to account where required, to ensure plans are developed and progressed, deliver intended outcomes and demonstrate impact.

• Promote high-quality practice through independent oversight, constructive challenge and support, contributing to improved outcomes for children, young people and families.
• Contribute to service developments and continuous improvement, including the Families First Partnership Programme and the ongoing development of the two specialisms.

What you’ll bring:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England. 
• Significant experience working with children and families, including complex casework and multi-agency meetings. 
• Excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills, with the ability to influence and challenge practice appropriately. 
• Commitment to a relational, strengths-based approach and achieving outstanding outcomes for children and young people.
• Can travel across Northumberland and work flexibly to meet the service needs.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact Catherine Macdonald, Senior Manager, via email: catherine.macdonald@northumberland.gov.uk.

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• A competitive salary range from £51,928 - £56,293 (dependent on experience)
• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees) 
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme 
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees) 

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