At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape services for vulnerable children and young people in care.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Havering, committed to improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive leadership team, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with significant leadership experience in Children's Services.
The predicted salary is between 207 - 207 £ per hour.
Grade 12 – £77,550 - £87,084pa
Starting Well | People Directorate | London Borough of Havering
Our People Directorate vision is “Supporting our residents to stay safe and well.” In Starting Well, this means creating the conditions for every child, young person and family in Havering to feel safe, be heard and achieve their best possible outcomes. We are ambitious for all children and young people, including those who need assessment and safeguarding support, children with disabilities, children in care and care-experienced young people.
We are looking for an exceptional senior leader who shares that ambition and can help us continue to strengthen practice, partnership working and outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
About the Role
As Head of Service – Corporate Parenting, you will provide strategic leadership for services supporting Children in Care, Care Leavers, Permanence and Corporate Parenting responsibilities. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people experience stability, safety, permanence and the support they need to thrive. This is a significant leadership opportunity to shape services, influence strategic direction and drive excellent outcomes for children and young people who are looked after and care experienced.
You will lead Service Managers and frontline teams to deliver purposeful, child-centred and relationship-based practice, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and that children receive support that is timely, effective and focused on achieving positive outcomes.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Why Join Havering?
We are on an ambitious journey of continuous improvement and are committed to delivering the highest quality services for children, young people and families. You will join a supportive and collaborative senior leadership team that is passionate about:
- Practice excellence
- Corporate parenting and permanence
- Inclusion and diversity
- Workforce development
- Partnership working
- Continuous improvement
This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people while helping shape the future of Children's Services in Havering.
About You
You will be an experienced and credible senior leader within Children's Services, able to provide strategic direction whilst maintaining a strong focus on practice quality and outcomes. You will bring the resilience, judgement and emotional intelligence needed to lead complex statutory services and inspire confidence across the workforce, partners and wider community.
Essential 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.
What Matters Most
Most importantly, you will bring a genuine commitment to children and young people, a passion for improving outcomes and a belief that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish. You will be ambitious for children in care and care-experienced young people, committed to supporting staff to do their best work, and motivated by the opportunity to help Havering continue its improvement journey with pace, integrity and ambition.
If you are an inspiring leader who wants to make a real difference for children and young people, we would love to hear from you.
Please view Job Profile here
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Alex.Kaitell@havering.gov.uk
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 2/8/26 however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early. You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.
Should you require any help or advice with your online application, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk on 01708 432770
Additional Information
We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.
The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
Head of Service for Corporate Parenting in Romford employer: Borough of Havering
Havering is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a significant impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to systemic practice, access to accredited training, and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in a role that is both meaningful and rewarding. Join us in a vibrant community where your expertise is valued, and together we can create positive outcomes for those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service for Corporate Parenting in Romford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Borough of Havering.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Borough of Havering!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Borough of Havering, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Borough of Havering or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service for Corporate Parenting in Romford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Borough of Havering:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Havering! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Havering
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
