Central Bedfordshire Council
Senior Practitioner - Child Exploitation & Missing Lead
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Team: Child Exploitation and Missing Team
Job Family: Supporting M – CBG11
Salary:
£42,396 - £45,758 per annum pro rata plus Standard MRS £5,150 per annum pro rata and Enhanced MRS £4,350 per annum pro rata
Hours:
37 hours per week
Location:
You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than three times per week.
Contract Type:
Hybrid - Permanent
Closing Date:
9th October 2026
Interview Date:
w/c 12th October 2026
About the role:
We are looking for a passionate and inspiring worker to take up the position as Senior Practitioner - Child Exploitation and Missing Service.
The new appointee will continue to push forward the development and co-ordination of CBC’s multi-agency response to Child Exploitation and Missing children. They will work across the service continuing to embed outstanding practice and strategic oversight, providing curiosity, support and a critical friend to social work teams and to the Missing Service. There are strong links across the tri-borough which support the development of the responses to Child Exploitation - the new appointee will be expected to be a key partner in these local and regional arrangements.
The Senior Practitioner role also includes having a line management and supervisory relationship with two missing co-ordinators (Return Home Interview Officers). The role will need someone who can ensure that the missing service is continuing to meet expectations and helping to support the continuation of the development and integration of this service and the workers.
You must have a key understanding of legislation, guidance and policy directly impacting and influencing these area’s. You will be able to use that knowledge to implement requirements and support development to ensure that the service is up to date and children, young people and families are getting the right service, assessment and support at the right time.
We are looking for someone with a strong voice and presence who can effectively advocate for missing and exploited children and young people. You will be responsible for ensuring they receive an outstanding service, making full use of appropriate tools, interventions, and assessments to support their needs.
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You will hold a recognised social work qualification and either be currently working as a Senior Social Worker or have significant experience as a Social Worker specialising in this area. You should also be able to demonstrate experience of supervision and mentoring, supported by relevant qualifications where applicable.
This is not a 'case' holding role, however this will include providing support to key workers of children and young people.
The successful candidate will:
- Line manage and Supervise x2 Missing Co-ordinators and sign off Record of Child Missing reports (Return Home Interviews).
- Provide weekly information to the DCS with regard to children missing in the area for over 24 hours.
- Provide direct guidance and support to key workers who are supporting children and young people at risk of exploitation and children and young people are missing from home or care.
- Attend local and regional meetings for children who are exploited and attend complex and single child strategy meetings to give advice and guidance where risk of exploitation is a key feature.
- Support and lead on training both internally and externally.
- Be responsible for tracking and ensuring our internal processes are being completed timely and in line with policy and procedure, including what tools, assessments and disruption techniques are being used. You will also be responsible for identifying/analysing themes that arise and be responsible for ensuring that they are fed back into practice.
- Support and hold strategic oversight of the Child Exploitations and Missing Service.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
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Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.
Safeguarding:
Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.
To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.
Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI.
All new starters will join us on a four-month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well-supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire.
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.
Free information, advice and guidance into work or learning
Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) provides free, impartial, information advice and guidance to those aged 16+ looking to get into work, learning or exploring a change of career.
For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Stephanie Goddard, Service Manager for the Integrated Front Door at Stephanie.Goddard2@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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