Locum Child Protection Senior Practitioner

Senior Practitioner – Children’s Services (Staffordshire Moorlands District Council)

Job Overview

We are recruiting a skilled and motivated **Senior Practitioner (Qualified Social Worker)** to join **Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Children’s Services team**. In this senior role, you will manage complex cases, lead safeguarding interventions, and provide professional support and supervision to colleagues.

You will work closely with children, young people, and families, ensuring their voices are central to all decision-making. Alongside direct practice, you will play a key role in mentoring social workers, driving service quality, and supporting positive outcomes across the service.

Key Responsibilities

– Lead on complex child protection and safeguarding cases in line with statutory frameworks. – Provide professional guidance, reflective supervision, and mentoring to social workers. – Develop, implement, and review child-centred care and protection plans. – Prepare and present clear, evidence-based reports for court proceedings, reviews, and statutory panels. – Chair and contribute to multi-agency meetings, ensuring joined-up interventions. – Build effective relationships with children, families, and partner agencies to achieve lasting outcomes. – Maintain accurate and timely case records in compliance with legislation and policy. – Contribute to service audits, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

About You

You are an experienced and resilient social worker with strong safeguarding expertise and leadership qualities. You can balance complex casework with mentoring responsibilities and are committed to delivering high-quality, child-focused practice. Your ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and guide colleagues makes you a valued leader within the team.

Requirements

– Qualified Social Worker (QSW) with registration to **Social Work England**. – Significant post-qualification experience in **Children’s Services**, including safeguarding and court work. – Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory guidance, and social care practice. – Proven ability to support, mentor, or supervise colleagues. – Excellent report-writing, analytical, and communication skills. – Ability to manage competing demands while maintaining a focus on children’s best interests.

Contract & Salary

– Employer: **Staffordshire Moorlands District Council** – Service: **Children’s Services** – Contract type: **Full-time, locum/temporary contract via Tripod Partners** – Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Qualified Social Worker looking to take on a senior role within Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Children’s Services, we would like to hear from you. Please **apply using the form on the page**.