Head of Service Improvement in Swindon

Head of Service Improvement in Swindon

Swindon Full-Time 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformative programmes in Children’s Social Care and drive strategic change.
  • Company: Civic Recruitment Limited, dedicated to improving community services.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful work, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping future services.
  • Qualifications: Experience in leading transformation in Children’s Social Care and strong leadership skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and community impact.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.

1 Year Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead and be fully accountable for the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of Children’s Social Care transformation programmes, including the Families First for Children (FFP) and wider national and local reform agenda. The postholder will drive strategic change, ensure robust governance, and improve outcomes for children and families in line with Swindon’s vision and priorities.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive transformation roadmap aligned to national reforms and local priorities.
  • Set clear short-, medium-, and long-term objectives, including measurable performance and improvement targets.
  • Provide strategic and practice leadership across all aspects of service improvement and reform.
  • Translate reform objectives into operational delivery, supporting managers and practitioners to embed new ways of working.
  • Foster a culture of reflection, learning, and continuous improvement across Children’s Services.
  • Oversee delivery of the Families First for Children (FFP) programme and wider care reforms.
  • Co-design, pilot, and embed new service models, including:
  • Early Support
  • Multi-Agency Child Protection Services
  • Family Help Teams
  • Fostering and Kinship Support
  • Build on and expand family group decision‑making approaches.
  • Use data, feedback, and evaluation to measure impact and inform continuous improvement.
  • Lead preparation for inspections and coordinate action planning in response to outcomes, including Department for Education (DfE) requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities, including:
    • Statutory guidance
    • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
  • Ensure safeguarding and quality standards are consistently met and improved.
  • Establish and maintain effective governance structures, including:
    • Workstreams
    • RAG reporting
  • Ensure delivery of milestones on time and within agreed resources.
  • Provide regular performance reports to key boards and partnerships, including:
    • Swindon 2028 Transformation Board
    • Children’s Improvement Board
    • Swindon Safeguarding Partnership (SSP) Executive
  • Work collaboratively with partners across education, health, police, and the voluntary sector.
  • Strengthen integrated working and joint accountability across agencies.
  • Actively contribute to the Swindon Safeguarding Partnership and report progress to the SSP Executive.
  • Represent Swindon at local, regional, and national forums.
  • Develop and implement co-production approaches with children, young people, families, and carers.
  • Engage staff and service users in designing and improving service delivery models.
  • Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including DfE advisors and partners.
  • Develop business cases and business plans to support transformation initiatives.
  • Maximise funding opportunities, including securing external grants.
  • Oversee effective use of budgets, grants, and resources to deliver programme outcomes.
  • Line manage programme management staff (minimum of one Programme Manager).
  • Provide leadership across multi‑agency workstreams.
  • Lead strategic meetings and ensure accurate and timely data and performance reporting to the Department for Education.
  • Requirements

    • Significant and recent experience leading sustained transformation in Children’s Social Care.
    • Proven track record of delivering complex change programmes and service improvement.
    • Experience working within inspection frameworks and responding to regulatory requirements.
    • Strong strategic leadership and programme management capability.
    • Excellent partnership working and stakeholder engagement skills.
    • In‑depth knowledge of Children’s Social Care legislation, policy, and best practice.
    • Ability to analyse data and use evidence to drive decision‑making.
    • Strong communication and influencing skills at senior level.

    Head of Service Improvement in Swindon employer: Civic Recruitment Limited

    Civic Recruitment Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative initiatives within Children’s Social Care in the vibrant town of Swindon. With a strong commitment to employee development and a collaborative work culture, we empower our staff to drive meaningful change while ensuring compliance with statutory responsibilities. Our focus on continuous improvement and partnership working creates a rewarding environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
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    Contact Detail:

    Civic Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Head of Service Improvement in Swindon

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their current challenges and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your achievements and how they relate to the role of Head of Service Improvement. Confidence is key!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you along the way. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in!

    We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service Improvement in Swindon

    Strategic Leadership
    Programme Management
    Service Improvement
    Children’s Social Care Legislation
    Stakeholder Engagement
    Data Analysis
    Communication Skills
    Change Management
    Governance Structures
    Performance Reporting
    Collaboration with Multi-Agency Partners
    Co-production Approaches
    Budget Management
    Regulatory Compliance

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Service Improvement role. Highlight your experience in leading transformation in Children’s Social Care and how it aligns with the job description. We want to see how you can drive strategic change!

    Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved services or led successful programmes. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.

    Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Civic Recruitment Limited

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and legislation in Children’s Social Care. Brush up on the Families First for Children programme and any recent reforms. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about making a difference.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    Prepare examples of how you've successfully led transformation initiatives in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the impact your leadership had on service improvement. This is your chance to shine!

    ✨Engage with Stakeholders

    Be ready to discuss how you’ve built relationships with various stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your experience in collaborating with education, health, and voluntary sectors. This will demonstrate your ability to foster integrated working, which is crucial for this position.

    ✨Data-Driven Decision Making

    Prepare to talk about how you’ve used data and feedback to inform your decisions and drive improvements. Bring examples of how you’ve measured impact and adjusted strategies based on evidence. This will show that you can translate reform objectives into operational success.

    Head of Service Improvement in Swindon
    Civic Recruitment Limited
    Location: Swindon

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