Principal Officer

Job Description

4 Months Contract with a Local Authority

Umbrella - £38.00 per hour - Umbrella

Job Purpose

As a Principal Officer (Child Protection Chair), you will lead and chair multi-agency Child Protection Conferences, ensuring effective safeguarding arrangements are in place for vulnerable children and young people. You will play a key role in quality assurance, decision-making, and the development of robust child protection and safety planning processes.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• Chair Child Protection Conferences and Review Conferences.

• Lead multi-agency safeguarding discussions and decision making.

• Ensure children's voices and lived experiences are central to planning.

• Oversee and challenge safeguarding plans where necessary.

• Promote the Strengthening Families approach and trauma-informed practice.

• Work collaboratively with Social Workers, managers and partner agencies.

• Support quality assurance and continuous service improvement.

• Review safeguarding practice and monitor performance standards.

• Ensure statutory child protection procedures are followed.

• Contribute to improved outcomes for children and families.

• Provide professional challenge where safeguarding concerns arise.

• Maintain accurate records and conference documentation.

Essential Experience Required

• Extensive post-qualifying Social Work experience.

• Previous Child Protection Conference Chair experience.

• Strong knowledge of Child Protection processes and safeguarding legislation.

• Experience chairing multi-agency meetings.

• Experience working within Children's Social Care.

• Strong assessment, analysis and decision-making skills.

• Experience managing complex safeguarding cases.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to manage workload and meet deadlines.

• Strong partnership working experience.

Desirable Experience

• Management or leadership experience.

• Quality Assurance experience.

• Reviewing Officer or Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) experience.

• Experience within a Child Protection and Reviewing Service.

Additional Information to Note

• Working Hours: 36 hours per week.

• Birmingham, B30 3BN.
• Full-Time Position.

• Hybrid Working Available.

• Attendance at Child Protection Conferences Required.

• Travel between Birmingham offices and conference venues may be required.

• Enhanced DBS Required.

• Proof of Qualifications Required.

• 5 Years References / Work History Required.

• Online Interview via Microsoft Teams.

• Interview Date: 15th November 2026.

• Supplier Submission Deadline: 8th November 2026.

• We work on bi-weekly payment schedule.

• Apply ASAP.

Requirements
As a Principal Officer (Child Protection Chair), you will lead and chair multi-agency Child Protection Conferences, ensuring effective safeguarding arrangements are in place for vulnerable children and young people. You will play a key role in quality assurance, decision-making, and the development of robust child protection and safety planning processes.