Principal Officer

Job Description

Principal Officer (Child Protection Chair) - 4 Month Contract

Local Authority | 4 Month Contract

Location: 45 Fordhouse Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 3BN

Rate: £38.00 per hour (Umbrella)

Contract: 4 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working (Attendance Required for Conferences, Duty Weeks, and Meetings)

Pay: Bi-Weekly

Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Principal Officer (Child Protection Chair) to join our Local Authority Children's Services team on a 4-month contract. This pivotal role involves leading multi-agency Child Protection Conferences to safeguard vulnerable children and young people, ensuring their needs are prioritized in all planning and decision-making processes. You will be part of a supportive team dedicated to promoting exemplary safeguarding practices, challenging when necessary, and ensuring active involvement of children, young people, and families in the child protection journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences.
  
• Lead multi-agency discussions aimed at enhancing outcomes for children and young people.
  
• Ensure children's voices and experiences are central to all planning and decisions.
  
• Foster participation and collaboration with children, parents, carers, and professionals.
  
• Oversee the creation and evaluation of effective child protection and safety plans.
  
• Implement a Strengthening Families approach in safeguarding practices.
  
• Provide constructive feedback to practitioners and agencies as needed.
  
• Assess and improve the quality of safeguarding practices and decisions.
  
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and safeguarding protocols.
  
• Contribute to service quality enhancement, performance, and outcomes.
  
• Cultivate strong working relationships with social workers, partner agencies, and families.
  
• Maintain precise records and documentation of conferences and outcomes.
  
• Promote a culture of learning through reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement.
  

Essential

Requirements

Requirements:

• Qualified Social Worker with active Social Work England registration.
  
• Significant post-qualification experience in social work.
  
• Proven experience in chairing Child Protection Conferences.
  
• In-depth knowledge of child protection laws, safeguarding procedures, and statutory guidelines.
  
• Experience in Children's Social Care and multi-agency safeguarding settings.
  
• Strong decision-making and analytical abilities.
  
• Capability to challenge professional practices constructively.
  
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
  
• Proficiency in managing workloads and meeting deadlines.
  
• Commitment to relationship-based and trauma-informed practices.
  
• Strong skills in partnership and stakeholder management.
  

Desirable

• Prior management or supervisory experience.
  
• Experience in Quality Assurance, Reviewing, or Independent Chair roles.
  
• Familiarity with Strengthening Families and restorative practice models.
  
• Experience in implementing practice improvement initiatives.
  

Additional Information

• Full-time role.
  
• In-person attendance required for conferences.
  
• Travel between offices and conference venues may be necessary.
  
• Home working available for administrative tasks.
  
• Participation in duty weeks is required.
  
• Supportive and experienced team environment.
  

What's on Offer?

• £38.00 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• 4 Month Contract
  
• Full-Time Hours
  
• Hybrid Working
  
• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
• Opportunity to focus on safeguarding and child protection improvements.
  
• Collaborative and supportive team culture.
  
• Meaningful role impacting outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
  
• Potential for contract extension.
  

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Principal Officer, Child Protection Chair, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), Conference Chair, Senior Social Worker, Advanced Practitioner, Child Protection Coordinator, Safeguarding Lead, or Quality Assurance Officer within Children's Services.

Requirements
Essential Requirements Requirements: Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration. Extensive post-qualifying social work experience. Previous experience chairing Child Protection Conferences. Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, safeguarding procedures, and statutory guidance. Experience working within Children's Social Care and multi-agency safeguarding environments. Strong decision-making and analytical skills. Ability to challenge professional practice appropriately and constructively. Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills. Ability to manage workload effectively and meet deadlines. Commitment to relationship-based and trauma-informed practice. Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills. Desirable Previous management or supervisory experience. Experience within Quality Assurance, Reviewing, or Independent Chair roles. Knowledge of Strengthening Families and restorative practice models. Experience delivering practice improvement initiatives. Additional Full-time position. Conferences are held in person and attendance is required. Travel between offices and conference venues may be required. Some home working is available for administrative duties. Participation in duty weeks required. Supportive and experienced team environment. What's on Offer? £38.00 per hour (Umbrella) 4 Month Contract Full-Time Hours Hybrid Working Bi-Weekly Pay Opportunity to focus on safeguarding and child protection improvement. Supportive and collaborative team culture. Meaningful role influencing outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. Potential contract extension. Ideal for candidates with experience as a Principal Officer, Child Protection Chair, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), Conference Chair, Senior Social Worker, Advanced Practitioner, Child Protection Coordinator, Safeguarding Lead, or Quality Assurance Officer within Children's Services.