Independent Child Protection Officer

About the Role Northampton Children's Trust is seeking an experienced Independent Review and Conference Officer to provide independent oversight and quality assurance of child protection planning. The postholder will play a critical role in ensuring that children's welfare and best interests remain central to all child protection decision-making. Working Pattern: Most Review Child Protection Conferences are held virtually Most Initial Child Protection Conferences are held face to face Expect approximately 2 days per week attending physical meetingsWorking Hours: 22.5 hours per week Key Responsibilities Chairing Child Protection Conferences, ensuring robust, timely, and child‑focused planning Providing independent oversight and quality assurance of child protection processes Ensuring that the child's voice and interests are promoted and prioritised throughout all conferences Monitoring the Trust's performance in relation to child protection practice Identifying areas of poor or inconsistent practice and reporting concerns Making clear recommendations for improvement and reporting deficits to senior managers Working collaboratively with senior leaders to support remedial actions and service improvementSkills Qualified Social Worker, with current Social Work England registration Minimum of 3 years' post‑qualifying experience within statutory children's services Strong knowledge of child protection legislation and statutory guidance Proven experience chairing Child Protection Conferences, including Initial and Review conferences Ability to exercise independent judgement and analyse complex safeguarding information Confident chairing and facilitation skills, including appropriate professional challenge If you thrive to make a difference and have 3 years Social worker experience and this is the role for you, then we would love to hear from you