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- Tasks: Lead and shape quality assurance and safeguarding services for children and families.
- Company: Wokingham Borough Council, committed to high-quality child-centred services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, gym access, and employee support programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while driving strategic improvements.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in safeguarding and quality assurance leadership.
- Other info: Join a transformative team with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 63400 - 71000 ÂŁ per year.
Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: ÂŁ73,452 - ÂŁ80,878 per annum (plus additional ÂŁ3k Market Supplement)
Location: Shute End, Wokingham
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 08/03/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 710430
Are you a strategic, influential leader with a passion for driving high-quality practice and improving outcomes for children and families? We are looking for an experienced safeguarding and quality assurance professional to lead our Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Service and help shape the future of practice across Wokingham.
Wokingham is embarking on a period of transformation as we refresh our structures and strengthen our service offer. This is a pivotal and exciting moment to join us. You will play a key role in embedding high standards, championing partnership working, and ensuring our services remain child‑centred, forward‑thinking and responsive.
As the Head of Service for Quality Assurance & Safeguarding, you will take a strategic lead across Children’s Social Care, Early Help and SEND — driving continuous improvement, delivering robust quality assurance, and ensuring safeguarding excellence across the Berkshire West footprint.
In This Role, You Will:
- Hold strategic responsibility for the Quality Assurance Framework, ensuring consistent high standards across Children’s Social Care, Early Help, and SEND.
- Act as the Quality Assurance Lead for the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, providing expert insight on safeguarding standards and best practice.
- Lead and develop collaborative multi-agency relationships, driving joint auditing, learning, and system-wide improvements.
- Manage the Family Group Conferencing Service, promoting child‑centred and restorative approaches.
- Provide effective leadership to the Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Service, including overseeing the Team Manager for QA & Safeguarding.
- Lead on the development, delivery and evaluation of quality assurance activity, including case audits, learning reviews and thematic analysis.
- Manage the Children’s Services & SEND Complaints Manager, ensuring complaints are handled effectively and learning is embedded.
- Oversee the Participation Manager to ensure children and young people have access to advocacy, participation opportunities and co‑production that shapes service delivery.
- Contribute to multi-agency safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with national requirements and emerging research.
- Represent Wokingham at local and national forums, horizon scanning for policy changes and emerging best practice.
- Participate in the Emergency Duty Team rota (every 6–8 weeks).
- Be an active member of the wider departmental and council management team.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a skilled QA and safeguarding professional to shape strategic direction, influence practice across multiple agencies, and ensure that children and families receive the highest quality support.
What We Can Offer You:
- Salary: £73,452 – £80,878 per annum +£3k Market Supplement
- 31 days annual leave, rising to 36 with continuous service
- On-site Gym access
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Local and national discounts
- Access to Tusker Car Scheme
- Enhanced Local Government Pension Scheme
All applications must be submitted online.
For More Information Or If You Would Like To Have An Informal Discussion With Regards To This Vacancy, Please Contact Either Carrie Mark, Service Director Practice Improvement Quality or Alix Williams, Recruitment & Retention Specialist for Children’s Social Care.
Closing date: Sunday 8th March at 11pm
Interviews: Monday 23rd March, in person at our Wokingham offices.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply:
Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
Head of Service for Quality Assurance in Wokingham employer: Children's Social Care, Wokingham
Contact Detail:
Children's Social Care, Wokingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service for Quality Assurance in Wokingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the field of quality assurance and safeguarding. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Wokingham Borough Council's recent initiatives in children's services. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for improving outcomes for children and families. Tailor your responses to reflect their values!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your strategic vision for quality assurance and safeguarding. The more comfortable you are discussing your ideas, the more confident you'll be in the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Wokingham Borough Council. Get your application in before the deadline!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service for Quality Assurance in Wokingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Service for Quality Assurance. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a strategic leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to drive high-quality practice. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or initiatives in the past, especially in safeguarding and quality assurance.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured answers that get straight to the heart of your experience and qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the only way we can accept applications, and it ensures that your details are processed correctly. Plus, it makes it easier for us to review your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Children's Social Care, Wokingham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Quality Assurance Framework and safeguarding standards. Brush up on current best practices and any recent changes in legislation that could impact children's services. This will show your strategic thinking and commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Think about times when you’ve driven improvements or fostered collaboration across agencies. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your ability to lead the Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Service effectively.
✨Engage with the Role's Challenges
Be ready to discuss the challenges facing children's services today, especially in relation to quality assurance and safeguarding. Show that you understand the complexities of the role and have thought about innovative solutions to improve outcomes for children and families.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the council’s vision for the future of children’s services or how they measure success in quality assurance. This not only shows your interest but also your strategic mindset and desire to contribute meaningfully.
