Head of Practice in Southampton

We are recruiting for two separate Heads of Practice opportunities within a high performing and effective service region covering Kent Service Area and Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire Service Area. We currently have a permanent and 12-month fixed term opportunity. The location of the permanent and fixed-term opportunities will be determined based on the experience, skills and preferences of the successful candidates.

You will lead and support teams across either our Stevenage Service Area or our Kent Service Area, depending on your appointed location. Successful candidates will be based at either our Stevenage office or our Maidstone office, with responsibility for supporting teams and service delivery across the respective areas.

Let us tell you a bit more about the role…

As a Head of Practice, you will draw on your considerable, professional Social Work experience to lead and inspire those around you to ensure the delivery of high-quality services and practice.

You will set high standards and combine this with high levels of support so the Service Managers you lead can create the conditions for our Family Court Advisers, who engage directly with children and families, to deliver exceptional experiences.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Director - who has overall leadership responsibility for operational service areas that covers Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Kent you will lead on internal practice improvement as well influence local delivery partners while also working on a mix of strategic and operational matters.

By ensuring Cafcass priorities, policies and plans are delivered to the highest possible standard, you and your teams will deliver positive outcomes for children and young people going through significant events including care proceedings, adoption and parental separation.

More detailed information about the role responsibilities can be found in the job description, which you are encouraged to read prior to applying.

What We’re Looking For...

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate their experience and capability as a highly effective Leader who guides, influences and inspires others to consistently fulfil their responsibilities and to identify individual and collective opportunities for professional improvement.

You must be a qualified social worker with extensive experience in court proceedings and child protection. Also to be able to demonstrate a proven track record of working at a senior level in order to deliver the organisations strategic aims within a busy operational area.

You will also thrive on the responsibility of ensuring quality of practice and service delivery across the operational area is not only sustained but continually improved. You will be motivated to achieve performance standards by supporting Service Managers to ensure strong, consistent performance management behaviours and processes are embedded.

Further information

Whilst you can expect to work remotely some of the time, reflecting the seniority of the role there is a requirement for some national travel.

Similarly, as a Senior Leader, you will be expected to have a regular, visible office presence not only for formal meetings but to also model the importance and value of staff using office spaces to connect and collaborate.

As a guide, it is reasonable to expect you may be in the Stevenage or Kent office - or other offices across the service areas - twice per week, on average. Therefore, whilst you don't necessarily need to live close to the office(s) this may be something for you to consider.

Next steps / timelines

Below we have given you an indication of a timetable we are hoping to work towards, although dates are subject to change.

Closing Date

23 October 2026

Initial Interview

27 & 28 October 2026

Panel Interview

12 & 13 November 2026

We understand that considering a new role is a big decision, and you may require further information before applying. If so, please contact Richard Morris (Assistant Director) providing your contact details and best times to contact you.

However, whilst Richard will try to respond as quickly as possible, we wouldn’t want you to miss the closing date before you're able to speak with her. Therefore, if the closing date is approaching, we recommend you apply and as part of your application you can ask questions, and this may allow us to contact you and provide you with the required information that will help you decide if you still wish to be considered.

Please note to submit your application, you will need to have started your application by no later than 12pm on the closing date stated above. As long as you have started your application by this date / time, you will have until 23:59 the same day to complete, review and submit your application.

Finally, in anticipation of your application being successful, you might want to read about the offer and pre-employment checks process. As part of your application you can highlight any concerns or questions about the pre-employment checks and we encourage all applicants to do so, safe in the knowledge such information will not be shared with individuals involved in the selection process.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Please be advised successful applicants will be subject to a range of pre-engagement checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). In accordance with the DBS code of practice and our own policy, should an individual have a declared criminal offence an individual assessment will be completed. Further information on what the assessment covers can be found by viewing the Cafcass DBS policy.

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