Locum Child Protection Senior Practitioner
London, Greater London
Advanced Practitioner – Children’s Services (Barnet Council)
Job Overview
We are recruiting an experienced **Advanced Practitioner (Qualified Social Worker – QSW)** to join the **Barnet Council Children’s Services team**. This role is central to delivering high-quality social work practice, leading on complex casework, and supporting the professional development of colleagues.
As an Advanced Practitioner, you will manage high-risk cases, provide expert guidance to social workers, and contribute to service improvement, ensuring children and families receive the best possible support.
Key Responsibilities
Lead on complex child protection and safeguarding cases.
Undertake statutory assessments under the Children Act to identify needs, risks, and strengths.
Develop, implement, and review care and protection plans that place children at the centre.
Provide professional advice, mentoring, and support to less experienced social workers.
Prepare and present high-quality, evidence-based reports for child protection conferences, statutory reviews, and court proceedings.
Work directly with children, families, and carers to build strong, supportive relationships.
Collaborate with schools, health services, police, and voluntary organisations to ensure coordinated, multi-agency support.
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant case recording in line with legislation and Barnet Council policies.
Contribute to service audits, quality assurance processes, and continuous service improvement.
About You
You are a confident and resilient social worker with significant post-qualification experience in children’s services. You are skilled at managing complex safeguarding cases, supporting colleagues, and ensuring the delivery of best practice across the team.
Requirements
Qualified Social Worker (QSW) with registration to **Social Work England**.
Substantial post-qualification experience within Children’s Services.
Proven ability to manage complex safeguarding and child protection cases.
Experience of mentoring, coaching, or supporting less experienced staff.
Excellent knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice.
Strong assessment, communication, and report-writing skills.
Contract & Salary
Employer: **Barnet 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 ready to take on an Advanced Practitioner role within Barnet Council’s Children’s Services, we would like to hear from you. Please **apply using the form on the page**.