Suffolk County Council
* Role 1: Riverside, 4 Canning Road, Lowestoft, NR33 OEQ – Hybrid
* Role 2: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU – Hybrid
* Salary: £48,163 per annum
* Hours: 37 hours, flexible working options available
* Contract: Permanent
Overview
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Safeguarding Practice Lead, you'll see the direct impact of your work on the people of Suffolk. This is a key practice leadership role where you will influence safeguarding culture, strengthen professional confidence, and ensure high quality, person‑centred safeguarding practice that truly makes a difference.
Your role and responsibilities
Imagine starting your day knowing that the work you do will shape safer, stronger practice for people across your locality. In this role, you will provide trusted advice and professional leadership on complex safeguarding concerns, supporting practitioners to think clearly about risk while keeping people at the centre of decision making and ensuring the best possible outcomes for adults, their families and carers.
You will review practice through quality assurance activity, turning learning into clear improvements that strengthen consistency and impact. Working closely with colleagues, partners and providers, you help build shared ownership of safeguarding and a culture of openness and continuous improvement.
You will lead learning sessions and workshops, supporting professional curiosity, confidence and strengths‑based practice. Throughout your work, whether advising on self‑neglect, supporting defensible risk decisions or contributing to CQC assurance, you stay focused on what matters most – improving people's experiences and outcomes through high quality safeguarding practice.
Qualifications
* Professional qualification in Social Work (registered with Social Work England) or Occupational Therapy (registered with HCPC), with evidence of ongoing continuous professional development.
* Significant post‑qualification experience, including direct experience of adult safeguarding and working with complex cases involving risk and vulnerability.
* Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding best practice, with the ability to make sound, defensible decisions.
* Proven experience of providing expert advice, professional leadership and supervision to support and improve practice.
* Experience of quality assurance, practice development or service improvement, using learning, data or audit activity to drive change.
* Demonstrated leadership skills, including influencing and supporting others, leading learning or training, and embedding good safeguarding practice.
* Ability to work collaboratively with partners, including health, commissioned and independent sector providers.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently.
* Strong commitment to person‑centred practice, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Suffolk County Council's values.
Benefits
* Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
* Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
* Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
* Performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
* Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
* A variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
* Diverse and active staff networks
* Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Closing date
11.30pm, 17 May 2026
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