As our Head of Front Door, you will lead a critical area of children's services, with responsibility for children in need, child protection, pre-proceedings and court work.
This is a significant leadership role at the heart of our improvement journey. We are looking for a restorative, experienced and resilient senior leader who can bring clarity, grip and pace, while also creating the conditions for strong, confident and relationship-based practice to flourish.
You will have a relentless commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families, and to ensuring that the quality of practice across safeguarding is consistently strong, purposeful and child focused. You will understand the complexity of statutory social work and will be able to support managers and practitioners to make good decisions, manage risk well, and work effectively with families, partners and the wider system.
We are making real progress, but we know there is more to do. You will play a key role in driving the next stage of that improvement, ensuring that our plans translate into visible, sustained change for children and families. You will be able to hold the line on quality, performance and practice, while also bringing people with you through challenge, support and clear leadership.
You will work closely with senior colleagues, partners and the wider Council to strengthen safeguarding arrangements, improve the quality and timeliness of our work, and ensure that children receive the right help and protection at the right time. You will be confident working with courts, legal services, multi-agency partners and external scrutiny, recognising the value that challenge and oversight bring to improving practice.
This role requires someone who can combine strategic leadership with operational grip. You will use data, audit, quality assurance and direct feedback from children, families and practitioners to understand what is working well, where practice needs to improve, and what action is needed. You will identify gaps, unblock barriers and ensure that improvement activity is focused on what matters most.
As Head of Service Safeguarding, you will also have a key role in developing managers and practitioners across the service. You will be committed to building confidence, capability and consistency, supporting a culture where colleagues feel valued, challenged and supported to do their best work.
If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.
