Locum Child Protection Senior Practitioner
Leek , Staffordshire
Senior Practitioner – Children’s Services (Staffordshire County Council)
Job Overview
We are recruiting an experienced **Senior Practitioner (Qualified Social Worker)** to join **Staffordshire County Council’s Children’s Services team**. This senior role involves managing complex safeguarding cases, providing professional supervision to colleagues, and supporting the delivery of high-quality, child-centred social work practice across the service.
As a Senior Practitioner, you will act as a role model, leading by example in casework while also contributing to team development, mentoring, and reflective supervision.
Key Responsibilities
Manage complex safeguarding and child protection cases in line with statutory requirements.
Provide supervision, mentoring, and reflective practice support to social workers and support staff.
Undertake in-depth assessments of children and families to inform care planning and decision-making.
Develop, implement, and review tailored care and protection plans.
Prepare and present clear, evidence-based reports for court proceedings, child protection conferences, and statutory panels.
Chair and contribute to multi-agency meetings, ensuring effective coordination of services and interventions.
Build strong, positive relationships with children, families, and carers to achieve lasting outcomes.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in line with legislation and council policies.
Contribute to audits, service development, and continuous improvement within Children’s Services.
About You
You are a resilient and motivated social worker with substantial post-qualification experience in children’s services. You are confident managing complex safeguarding work and have the ability to support colleagues through professional leadership.
Requirements
Qualified Social Worker (QSW) with registration to **Social Work England**.
Significant post-qualification experience within statutory Children’s Services, including safeguarding and court proceedings.
Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice.
Experience of supervising, mentoring, or supporting colleagues in a practice setting.
Excellent assessment, communication, and report-writing skills.
Ability to manage demanding caseloads while maintaining a child-centred approach.
Contract & Salary
Employer: **Staffordshire County 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 County Council’s Children’s Services team, we would like to hear from you. Please **apply using the form on the page**.