Lead Investigator

Lead Investigator

Location: Sheffield/Hybrid working

Salary: £44,866 per year, rising to £47,293 per year

Vacancy Type: Full-time

Closing Date: 19th of July 2026

Social Work England is the specialist body that regulates social workers in their vital role. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change, and ultimately improve people’s lives.

The lead investigator will lead and manage an investigations team which focusses on progressing fitness to practise concerns, including high-profile and complex cases.

What you will do

• Proactively line manage a team of investigators to ensure robust, high-quality investigations, in line with key performance indicators.
• Manage high risk cases and/or cases of a serious nature in line with guidance and procedures and escalate issues where appropriate, to ensure public safety is always maintained.
• Support and provide regular supervision to investigators in the planning, risk assessing and progressing of cases in line with guidance and procedures.
• Conduct reviews of your teams Investigation Plans, Risk Assessments and other key products, ensuring they are of a consistent high-quality.
• Ensure that your team present high-quality case investigation reports and evidential bundles to social workers and the Case Examiners which identify issues clearly and present recommendations based on sound rationale.
• Develop training materials and delivery of induction and on-going training for investigators with the support of the investigations manager.
• To support the investigations manager and wider fitness to practise management team by being a champion of change, assisting with implementing change initiatives within the immediate and wider investigations teams through project work including reviews of standard operating procedures as required.
• Work effectively with the External Legal Provider to ensure that cases instructed to them from your team are well managed in a timely manner, that they have all of the information required to conduct their investigation and that management and tracking systems are kept up to date.
• Contribute to the overall management and response to complaints received regarding cases within your team.
• Ensure that your team effectively manages large quantities of sensitive information, safeguards privacy and proactively avoids data security issues.
• Ensure that your team maintains accurate records and case information, using the case management system to ensure the integrity of data.
• Deputise for the investigations manager as required.

Your skills, knowledge and experience

• Experience of managing a team responsible for a high volume of casework and inspiring teams to attain goals and pursue high quality investigation work with strong levels of customer focus/service.
• Ability to lead a team to meet productivity targets and achieve key performance indicators in an environment where accuracy, timeliness and customer service is paramount.
• Ability to actively identify and resolve problems, including by providing sound instruction and advice to others.
• Track record of serving as a role model and mentor.
• Demonstration and encouragement of good team morale.
• Ability to be a champion of continuous improvement, delivering training and assisting with implementing change within a team.
• Excellent oral communication and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate professionally in challenging situations.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to review all the available information to identify key issues, summarise in a clear concise manner and the ability to make risk-based recommendations based on evidence and sound judgement.
• Experience of working independently under pressure in a busy, demanding, environment using prioritisation and organisational skills whilst managing competing deadlines.
• Significant experience of managing complex and varied caseloads and meeting individual targets.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records, case information and other records.
• Experience of using analytical skills and exploring investigative options with an attention to detail.

The Benefits

In addition to your salary, we also offer:

• Hybrid working, expectation of attending the Sheffield offices 20-40% of the working week (1-2 days)
• 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
• The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
• A TIDE award winning inclusive culture, made up of staff networks, social events and forums.
• A pension scheme, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle to work scheme. 

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Social Work England, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.