Description
We are seeking an exceptional senior leader to fill the role of Head of Service – Corporate Parenting. This role provides strategic leadership for services supporting Children in Care, Care Leavers, Permanence, and Corporate Parenting responsibilities. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people experience stability, safety, permanence, and the support they need to thrive.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide visible, inclusive, and values-led leadership across Corporate Parenting services.
- Lead services supporting Children in Care, Care Leavers, and Permanence, ensuring high standards of practice and decision-making.
- Drive service improvement through effective use of performance information, audit activity, quality assurance, and feedback from children and young people.
- Ensure practice is evidence-informed, strengths-based, and focused on achieving lasting change.
- Develop and support Service Managers and teams through reflective supervision, performance management, and workforce development.
- Champion the voice of children and young people, ensuring their experiences and views influence service delivery and improvement.
- Build strong and productive relationships with partners across education, health, police, and the voluntary sector.
- Represent Havering confidently within local, regional, and multi-agency partnerships.
- Manage resources and budgets effectively, ensuring services deliver value for money whilst maintaining excellent outcomes for young people.
- Contribute as a key member of the Starting Well Senior Leadership Team, helping to shape the future direction of Children's Services in Havering.
Requirements:
- Qualified Social Worker (Diploma in Social Work, CQSW or equivalent).
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- Significant senior leadership experience within Children's Services.
- A strong track record of improving practice quality, performance, and outcomes within Corporate Parenting, Children in Care, Care Leavers, Permanence, or related statutory services.
- Detailed knowledge of children's social care legislation, statutory guidance, and practice frameworks.
- Proven experience of leading, developing, and motivating managers and teams.
- Experience of delivering service improvement through performance management, quality assurance, and learning.
- Strong partnership working skills and the ability to influence across a complex system.
- Experience of budget and resource management.
- Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and decision-making skills.