National Lead for Practice (FGDM and Safeguarding)

Job Title:  National Lead for Practice (FGDM and Safeguarding)
Reference number:  CF26-72
Location:  Edinburgh / Glasgow
Salary:  Band F (52,282 - £58,765)
Post Type:  Full time (35 Hours) / Permanent
Closing Date:  Tuesday 24^th November 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 7^th December 2026
In this role, you’ll:
 

• Lead the development of practice in the key areas of protection of children and prevention of harm in line with our Strategic priorities.
• Lead the ongoing development of FGDM and safeguarding practice within Children First and contribute to external developments with partner agencies.
• Act as the organisation’s designated Child Protection and Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust systems of review, practice improvement and audit.
• Contribute to an open and accountable culture that puts children’s needs and rights at the centre of policy and practice.
• Represent Children First as a national expert offering specialist knowledge and consultancy.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:
 

• A recognised professional qualification in Social Work or a related discipline, with significant senior leadership experience in children’s services, safeguarding or family support. 
• Extensive experience of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) / Family Group Conferencing and a strong track record of leading safeguarding practice, systems and governance. 
• Expertise in child protection, family support, children's rights, trauma-informed practice and restorative, strengths-based approaches. 
• Experience designing and delivering practice models, training, consultancy or service development initiatives that improve outcomes for children and families. 
• The ability to lead, influence and build trusted relationships across organisations, sectors and multi-agency systems. 
• Excellent communication, influencing and decision-making skills, with confidence operating in complex and high-profile environments. 
• A passion for children's wellbeing and rights, alongside a commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and improving standards across the sector.

What we offer:
 

• A workplace with values of with love, with purpose and with strength
• 40 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Pension scheme and wellbeing support
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Access to Westfield Health, giving colleagues and their families confidential counselling support, wellbeing resources, and access to health and lifestyle benefits to support physical and mental wellbeing.
• Blue Light card discount 
• A Fair Work accredited workplace 

 
Our Values
 
Living our values, you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive, ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families. 
 
With love, we put children first.
With purpose, we transform lives together.
With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.
 
 
How to Apply
 
If you share our values and are passionate about supporting our people, we would love to hear from you.
 
Closing date: Tuesday 24^th November 2026 at 12 noon 

 Interviews: Week commencing Monday 7^th December 2026

 Contact: For more information, email linda.jardine@childrenfirst.org.uk

To apply, please click here