About the Role
We are recruiting to the exciting and brand‑new role of Child Protection Lead Practitioner. The Child Protection Lead Practitioner will be a qualified social worker with significant demonstrable knowledge and experience to act as a recognised expert in the field of child protection.
The role has been designed to provide expert advice and consultation across the multi‑agency partnership and support the allocated worker to continue to work effectively with families when significant harm has been identified. You will have responsibility for chairing meetings, Child Protection Conferences and overseeing Section 47 enquiries, children subject to Child Protection plans and children in pre‑proceedings.
You’ll bring leadership, insight, and compassion – helping shape a service that’s as ambitious as the city it serves.
Our Safeguarding Service
The ambition for Child Protection in Newcastle is for families to receive the right support at the right time from the right people to ensure children are kept safe. Child Protection is underpinned by relational practice between partner agencies and families. In Newcastle, we have established a Safeguarding Delivery Service and a Multi‑agency Child Protection Team which provides a seamless service when children are at risk of or have suffered significant harm.
Within our Safeguarding Delivery Service and Multi‑agency Child Protection Team there is a range of skills and experience delivered by Social Workers, overseen by experienced Team Managers with the support of Child Protection Lead Practitioners with collaboration between partner agencies such as Police, Health and Education. Our aim is to provide a proportionate multi‑agency response to harm.
Families First: Transforming How We Support Children and Families
Families First is the heart of our transformation in Newcastle. It’s a whole‑system shift designed to give children and families the right help at the right time and to make our practice more meaningful, relational and effective. Through earlier intervention and prevention, our new Family Help teams step in at the right time, when families need support, helping them work through challenges they face. We break down traditional silos by bringing local authority services together with police, health and education partners to create a single, seamless system of support.
Families are placed firmly in the lead through Family‑Led Decision Making now embedded as a standard practice, ensuring their voices shape the decisions that matter most. We strengthen support networks so more children can remain safely at home, including increased support for kinship carers. Instead of “stop/start” involvement, families will experience consistent, long‑term relationships with one Lead Practitioner walking alongside them throughout their journey. And when significant harm is present, our new multidisciplinary child protection teams provide expert, decisive intervention.
A Culture Where You Can Thrive
Our values are simple but powerful: Be safe. Be heard. Be innovative. Be supported. We want Newcastle to be a place where people enjoy coming to work, where you feel able to talk openly when things are difficult, where your ideas matter and where you’re encouraged to grow. We invest in our people to stay, progress and build long‑term careers with us.
Our leadership team is visible, approachable and deeply connected to the realities of frontline practice. They understand the pressures, celebrate success and stand alongside when challenges arise.
Flexibility That Works for Real Life
* Hybrid working that genuinely works – the freedom to avoid rush hour or do the school run.
* The ability to carry over up to one week’s worth of flexi with an allowance of two days a month to take off.
* A culture that recognises you’re a whole person, not just an employee.
Benefits
* Free parking
* Excellent transport links – Regent Centre Metro is a 5‑minute walk from the office.
* Pool CCR scheme
* NHS car fleet scheme
* Vivup discounts, including savings at major supermarkets
* 5% off B&Q
* £12.50 spa days at the Crowne Plaza
* Discounted gym memberships
* 10% off Mr Mulligans
* Wide range of wellbeing, lifestyle and financial support offers
Our Commitment
Newcastle City Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to building services that reflect, value and respond to our communities. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and particularly from individuals whose identities or experiences are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We recognise that this role involves sensitive and sometimes emotionally demanding work relating to racism and inequity. You will be supported through reflective spaces, supervision and team‑based support tailored to your needs.
Experience and Skills
Qualified social worker with significant knowledge and experience in child protection. Demonstrated ability to provide expert advice, chair meetings and oversee multi‑agency child protection inquiries. Strong relational skills, ability to work across partnerships with police, health and education. Experience in leading teams and supporting practitioners in complex cases.
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