Head of Service

Description:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Service to join Southend-on-Sea, leading the Safeguarding & Family Support Service at a pivotal time of transformation.
This is a key leadership role where you will drive forward service improvement, shape practice, and deliver high-quality outcomes for children, young people, and families.


🔹 About the Role You will:

• Lead and modernise Children’s Social Care services, ensuring effective and high-quality delivery
• Oversee and performance manage 3 Service Managers across:
  • CSPOC (formerly MASH+)
  • Assessment & Intervention
  • Family Support & Protection (Child Protection)
  • Children with Disabilities (CWD)
• Provide strong strategic and operational leadership across safeguarding services
• Create a supportive, innovative, and transparent culture that promotes excellent practice
• Ensure effective use of resources while maintaining high standards of service delivery

🔹 Key Responsibilities

• Drive performance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across multiple service areas
• Lead, develop and support senior managers to achieve outstanding outcomes
• Contribute to and implement the Children’s Social Care annual service plan
• Align service delivery with local priorities and national policy/legislation
• Work collaboratively across the wider council and partner agencies

🔹 Transformation Opportunity Southend-on-Sea is launching a brand-new Families First service, going live in May.
As Head of Service, you will play a lead role in shaping and delivering this innovative model, ensuring early intervention, improved outcomes, and sustainable change for families.
🔹 About You

• Proven experience at Head of Service level within Children’s Social Care
• Strong background in safeguarding, child protection, and frontline services
• Experience managing multiple teams/services through senior managers
• Track record of driving service improvement and transformation
• Confident in leading through change in a complex, fast-paced environment