Principal Officer

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.