At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative Family Help services and support multidisciplinary teams.
- Company: Join the vibrant London Borough of Waltham Forest, a hub of culture and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, retention bonus, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to help balance your personal commitments.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while shaping community support services.
- Qualifications: Must hold a social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
The predicted salary is between 81732 - 88506 £ per year.
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Salary: PO12 £81,732 - £88,506
Retention Bonus: £3000 paid in two instalments £1500 June and £1500 December
Contract Type: Full Time/Permanent
Working hours per week: 36 hours
Application Deadline: 15/11/2026
Proposed Interview Date(s): 30/11/26 and 01/12/26
Reference: 2383
About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents.
London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.
The Council’s preference is for online application. However, if you have a disability and are unable to complete an online application, please email recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk so we can arrange an alternative application method.
About the role: We are seeking an ambitious and collaborative Head of Service to lead the development and delivery of our new way of working in Family Help. You will provide strategic and operational leadership to multidisciplinary teams, embedding an earlier, relationship-based and whole-family approach that delivers the right support at the right time, reduces the need for statutory intervention and improves outcomes for children and families. Working closely with partners, practitioners and communities, you will drive integrated practice, using relational and systemic practices to strengthen decision-making and accountability, and ensure that children’s and families’ voices shape service design and delivery. This is an opportunity to lead significant change, build a confident and skilled workforce, and establish a high-quality, inclusive and evidence-informed Family Help offer.
Key Responsibilities:
- Developing Family Help practice in the borough
- Building multi-agency relationships
- Responsible for several multi-disciplinary family help teams in a specific locality
- Supervisory responsibility for up to 6 direct reports
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Social work Qualification
- Social Work England registered
Terms and conditions: The below terms and conditions apply to this role:
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks
- Satisfactory declaration of interest
- This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults
- Satisfactory DBS check
- Continued professional body registration
- As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English.
How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy.
We are a Home Office–licensed sponsor; however, for this specific role we are not able to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. To be considered, you must already hold a form of UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Contact Information: If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact James Thompson 07929 205209 or email james.thompson3@walthamforest.gov.uk. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population.
Respecting Diversity is a core Council value.
To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting.
We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council.
For more information on the benefits of working for the Council, please visit here.
Fraud Awareness Notice: The London Borough of Waltham Forest only advertises vacancies via our official website and approved recruitment platforms (e.g. Jobsgopublic). We will never ask for payment or request sensitive personal or financial information as part of our recruitment process.
Head of Service - Family Help in Walthamstow employer: Borough of Waltham Forest
The Borough of Waltham Forest is an excellent employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, making it an ideal place for HR professionals to thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development and a focus on equality and diversity, the council offers meaningful opportunities for growth and advancement in the field of human resources. Working here means being part of a dedicated team that values collaboration and strives to create a positive impact within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Family Help in Walthamstow
✨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 Waltham Forest.
✨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 Waltham Forest!
✨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 Waltham Forest, 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 Waltham Forest 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 - Family Help in Walthamstow
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 Waltham Forest:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Waltham Forest! 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 Waltham Forest
✨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.
