Lead Child Protection Practitioner (MACPT)

Join Lambeth Children's Services as a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (MACPT). This is a fixed-term or secondment opportunity for 12 months, working full-time in a hybrid model. You will be part of an ambitious Children's Social Care service improving outcomes for children and families.

The Lead Child Protection Practitioner role involves leading complex safeguarding decision-making, providing expert leadership across Section 47 child protection enquiries, strategy discussions, child protection conferences, and multi-agency safeguarding activity. You will work alongside partners from police, health, education, and wider children's services to ensure children and young people are protected from significant harm.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and coordinating Section 47 child protection enquiries
• Chairing strategy meetings, child protection conferences, and other complex multi-agency safeguarding discussions
• Providing expert consultation, guidance, and professional challenge to social workers, managers, and partner agencies
• Supporting timely, evidence-informed, and defensible decision-making
• Contributing to protection and safety planning
• Promoting high standards of recording, analysis, information-sharing, and quality assurance

To be considered, you should have:

• A recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration
• Significant recent experience in front-line statutory child protection practice
• Detailed knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory guidance, and relevant multi-agency safeguarding processes
• Experience of chairing or leading complex child protection meetings
• Strong risk analysis, professional curiosity, and the ability to hold complexity
• The ability to work collaboratively with families and partners while providing clear professional challenge

The salary for this role is £54,360 pa rising to £57,495 pa incl. LW.

This post requires an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory health and work record, and the ability to travel for business purposes.