Locum Child Protection Conference Chair Child Protection Chair

Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair

Role Overview

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Child Protection Chair / Independent Reviewing Officer to join a dedicated Children’s Safeguarding Service. This is a full-time locum position working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm), offered on an initial 3-month contract.

We are seeking an experienced practitioner with extensive knowledge of Child Protection (CP), Child in Need (CIN), Children in Care (CiC) and Risk Outside the Home (ROTH). The successful candidate will chair Child Protection Conferences, Risk Outside the Home meetings and other safeguarding forums, providing independent oversight, quality assurance and challenge to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

   
• Chair Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences, ensuring statutory requirements are met.
     

• Chair Risk Outside the Home (ROTH) conferences and provide specialist advice regarding extra-familial harm.
     

• Undertake Children in Care (CiC) Reviews where required.
     

• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of Child Protection Plans, ensuring they remain outcome-focused and proportionate.
     

• Review safeguarding plans at key stages between conferences and undertake threshold discussions with Social Workers.
     

• Provide early quality assurance consultations to Social Workers ahead of Child Protection Conferences.
     

• Produce clear, concise and outcome-focused Child Protection Plans where the threshold of significant harm is met.
     

• Ensure conferences and safeguarding meetings are accurately recorded and statutory timescales are met.
     

• Undertake audits of practice, identifying learning opportunities and supporting continuous service improvement.
     

• Raise practice alerts where required to promote high standards of safeguarding practice and improve outcomes for children.
     

• Promote meaningful participation of children, young people and families throughout the safeguarding process.
     

• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure effective multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

About You

You will be an experienced Child Protection Chair or senior safeguarding practitioner with extensive statutory children’s social care experience. You will have a thorough understanding of safeguarding legislation, Child Protection processes, Children in Need, Children in Care and Risk Outside the Home practice. You will be confident providing independent challenge, quality assurance and professional leadership across complex safeguarding cases.

Requirements

   
• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
     

• Extensive experience chairing Child Protection Conferences within a statutory local authority setting.
     

• Comprehensive knowledge of Child Protection (CP), Child in Need (CIN), Children in Care (CiC) and Risk Outside the Home (ROTH).
     

• Excellent understanding of safeguarding legislation, thresholds and statutory guidance.
     

• Strong quality assurance, audit and practice improvement experience.
     

• Excellent communication, analytical and report writing skills.
     

• Ability to provide effective challenge while maintaining positive multi-agency relationships.

Contract & Salary

   
• Job Title: Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair
     

• Service: Children’s Safeguarding Services
     

• Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm)
     

• Contract: 3 Months
     

• Pay Rate: £45.20 per hour
     

• Working Pattern: Weekdays
     

• Start Date: ASAP

How to Apply

If you’re an experienced Child Protection Chair or Independent Reviewing Officer looking for your next locum opportunity, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to play a key role in safeguarding children and improving practice across Children’s Services, and apply using the form on the page.