Overview
Do you want to shape the future of child protection practice? At Barnsley Council, we’re committed to doing the right thing for children — with courage, compassion and professional curiosity. We are developing our Stronger Together Practice framework as we begin to embed our Families First Programme. We’re looking for exceptionally skilled and experienced social workers to join us as Lead Child Protection Practitioners, playing a pivotal role in our Multi Agency Child Protection Team, protecting children at risk of significant harm and strengthening practice across our systems and partnerships.
Aligned to the Families First social care reforms, this role has a focus on leading and strengthening multi-agency safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and families through evidence-informed, practice-led leadership.
There is no case holding or direct line management within this leadership role, making it perfect for practitioners who want to stay close to practice while influencing outcomes, decision‑making and standards at pace.
About The Role
As a Lead Child Protection Practitioner (LCPP), you will provide expert social work leadership, interventions and decision making in all statutory child protection activity. This will include chairing, leading, and decision making in strategy discussions, leading and co working Section 47 investigations including joint investigations, chairing core groups and attending CP conferences. You will act as a mentor, offering expert child protection guidance, advice, support and interventions and will work alongside Family Help Practitioners, Team Managers and partner agencies to ensure that plans are robust, risks are clearly understood, and children are safeguarded.
You’ll be a visible and trusted expert — offering consultation, reflective discussion, professional challenge and decisive leadership where it matters most.
Key Aspects Of The Role Include
* Chairing strategy discussions, safety planning and multi‑agency risk meetings
* Leading and supporting complex Section 47 enquiries
* Providing expert oversight of risk assessment, analysis and decision‑making
* Strengthening multi‑agency safeguarding responses, holding partners to account where necessary
* Undertaking targeted quality assurance activity, identifying learning and driving improvement
* Supporting workforce development, including coaching, mentoring and training delivery
* Contributing to organisational learning, LCSPR activity and continuous improvement
About You
You’ll be an experienced, confident and passionate registered social worker with:
* Extensive experience in children’s social care and child protection
* Advanced skills in risk assessment, analysis and defensible decision‑making
* A strong grasp of statutory guidance, research and evidence‑informed practice
* The ability to lead, influence and challenge across professional boundaries
* A commitment to child‑centred, reflective and relational practice
* Confidence working in high‑pressure environments with complexity and uncertainty
* Experience of working alongside partners to deliver interventions that safeguard children
You will bring professional credibility, curiosity and integrity and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
Why Join Barnsley?
At Barnsley Council, we believe great practice happens when people feel valued, supported and trusted.
We Offer
* A clear and ambitious practice model rooted in evidence and learning
* Strong leadership support and a culture of reflection and improvement
* A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and supervision
* A robust training and development offer via our Practice Development Hub
* Flexible working options and a supportive, enabling environment
Barnsley is a place where expert practice is recognised, nurtured and enabled, where children’s lived experiences are at the heart of everything we do. If you are passionate about excellent child protection practice and want a role where your expertise can make a real difference we would love to hear from you.
Interviews are to take place on Thursday 18th June 2026
If you want to discuss the role, please contact Louise Danks PSW on louisedanks1@barnsley.gov.uk
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