Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom
Posted On 10/11/2026
Job Information
Work Experience Management Experience
Interim & Executive Management
City Taunton
Province Somerset
Postal Code TA1
Job Description
6 Month Contract With A local Authority
Job Purpose
To provide strategic and operational leadership across Family Safeguarding Services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality safeguarding, child protection and family support services for children, young people and families across Somerset.
The postholder will oversee Family Safeguarding Teams across multiple localities, provide leadership to Operational Managers, and ensure statutory responsibilities are met. A key focus of the role will be supporting the implementation of the Families First Partnership reforms , maintaining service performance and driving improvement while ensuring effective legal planning and decision-making for children subject to safeguarding interventions.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the delivery of Family Safeguarding Services across Somerset.
- Support the implementation of Families First Partnership reforms.
- Ensure safeguarding services deliver positive outcomes for children and families.
- Contribute to the strategic leadership of Children's Social Care as a member of the Head of Service management team.
- Support service transformation, improvement and organisational development initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities, regulations and inspection requirements.
Safeguarding & Service Delivery
- Maintain oversight of safeguarding and child protection activity across the county.
- Ensure statutory interventions are timely, effective and child-centred.
- Monitor service performance, quality and outcomes.
- Promote excellent social work practice and strengths-based approaches.
- Oversee complex and high-risk safeguarding cases where necessary.
- Ensure services remain focused on improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
Legal Planning & Permanence
- Lead on legal tracking and legal case oversight.
- Chair weekly Legal Gateway Meetings.
- Ensure appropriate thresholds and legal interventions are applied consistently.
- Oversee pre-proceedings and Public Law Outline activity.
- Work closely with Legal Services to ensure robust legal planning and decision-making.
- Monitor case progression and permanence planning for children.
Leadership & Management
- Provide direct line management to 4 Operational Managers.
- Offer professional support, supervision and challenge to senior managers.
- Drive performance management and workforce development.
- Ensure staff are supported to deliver high-quality practice.
- Promote a culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
Partnership Working
- Develop strong relationships with:
- Legal Services
- Education Services
- Health Partners
- Police
- Early Help Services
- Family Support Services
- Safeguarding Partnerships
- Represent Children's Social Care at strategic and operational meetings.
- Chair and attend multi-agency meetings as required.
Quality Assurance & Improvement
- Monitor and improve safeguarding performance and practice standards.
- Promote learning from audits, inspections and reviews.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance.
- Support preparation for inspections and regulatory scrutiny.
- Drive continuous service improvement across Family Safeguarding Teams.
Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker.
- Social Work England Registration.
- Significant senior leadership experience within Children's Social Care.
- Previous experience as a Head of Service, Service Manager or equivalent senior management role.
- Extensive experience within safeguarding and child protection services.
- Strong knowledge of:
- Children Act 1989 & 2004
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Public Law Outline (PLO)
- Care Proceedings
- Child Protection Processes
- Families First Partnership Reforms
- Experience chairing legal planning and gateway meetings.
- Experience overseeing complex safeguarding and legal casework.
- Experience managing senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong partnership working and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience leading service improvement and transformation programmes.
- Excellent communication, leadership and decision-making abilities.
- Experience implementing Families First Partnership reforms.
- Experience within a county-wide safeguarding service.
- Experience supporting Ofsted improvement and inspection activity.
- Practice Educator or leadership qualification.
Additional Information
- Location: Somerset (County-Wide Multi-Site Service)
Head of Service - Safeguarding in Taunton employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Civic Recruitment Limited is an exceptional employer that prioritises meaningful impact in the community, particularly for children and families. With a strong commitment to professional development and a collaborative work culture, employees are empowered to drive positive change while enjoying the benefits of flexible working arrangements and a supportive team environment in Ipswich. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead significant projects that align with national reforms, making a real difference in the lives of those served.
