The posting
Job Description
Salary: £59,557 - £61,922 per annum (Inclusive of 10% market supplement payment)
Hours per week: 37 hours
Interview date: 18 November 2026
Our Conference and Reviewing service plays an important role in Wiltshire’s journey to excellence. We are an innovative and agile workforce, focusing our efforts on the well-being of our children and residents looking for our next Operational Lead.
We take pride in our innovative spirit, constantly exploring avenues to elevate our services for the improvement of our communities. As part of our progressive approach, we're transforming child protection conferences to be more family-friendly and empowering. We aim to encourage families to take ownership of their plans, fostering positive change through high support and high challenge.
As the operational lead, you will provide inspirational leadership to our dedicated team of Child Protection Chairs, ensuring the efficiency of multiagency child protection conferences across the county. Day-to-day, you will manage the delivery of the CP Chair team's core functions, collaborating closely with operational managers at all levels to fulfil the Local Authority's safeguarding responsibilities.
You will bring excellent organisational skills, and the ability to multitask and meet demanding targets. A social work qualification, proven experience of looked after children and the statutory reviewing process is essential. Whilst having an excellent understanding of the issues affecting children and young people, their families, and carers.
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families and desire to work for an ‘OUTSTANDING‘ service that values success, invests in staff development, and promotes a healthy work-life balance with flexible options, we want to hear from you!
This position comes with a 10% market supplement payment. All market supplement payments are subject to review on an annual basis.
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.
Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.
We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.
Contact details
Samantha Mcfaul, Team Manager at [email protected]
Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.
Application criteria
Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply.
We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.
While we welcome applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship, we are not able to issue a defined certificate of sponsorship due to limitations in our sponsorship capacity.
If you have applied for this role within the last six months, you do not need to reapply. Your application will remain on file and will be considered.
We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.
Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion
Disability Confident Employer
Application process
Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).
Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.
Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
- Provide operational leadership and oversight of the Child Protection Conferencing service.
- Lead, support and develop Child Protection Chairs, promoting high-quality, consistent and relational practice.
- Provide effective quality assurance and professional challenge, identifying themes, risks and areas for service improvement.
- Promote timely and effective child protection planning and decision-making, ensuring children’s voices and lived experiences are central to practice.
- Work collaboratively with social work teams, managers and multi-agency partners to strengthen safeguarding practice and outcomes for children.
- Use performance information, audit and learning from practice to support continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of safeguarding policy, practice standards and service priorities.
Qualifications
- Qualified Social Worker with a recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- Evidence of relevant post-qualifying professional development.
- Significant post-qualifying experience in statutory children’s social care, including child protection and safeguarding.
- ideally experience chairing meetings and quality assurance experience
- Evidence of leadership, management or advanced professional practice experience.
