At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new Multi-Agency Child Protection Service to safeguard vulnerable children and families.
- Company: Join Harrow Children’s Services, committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious team dedicated to innovative, inclusive, and culturally competent practice.
- Why this job: Shape the future of child protection and influence practice at a strategic level.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in Children’s Social Care and strong knowledge of safeguarding frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 36840 - 40000 £ per year.
Join Harrow Children’s Services and be part of an ambitious Children’s Social Care service improving outcomes for children and families. The London Borough of Harrow is embarking on an exciting period of change as we deliver a series of ambitious Children’s Reforms Programmes – including Families First, Best Start Family Hubs, Best Start in Life and SEND Reforms. We strive to help every child thrive and through the reforms we are reshaping our future support for children, young people and families across the borough.
As part of the Families First Programme, we are building a practice system where relationships are key, encouraging family led decision making and offering multi-disciplinary help when needed. We are creating a dedicated Multi-Agency Child Protection Service (MACPS) to have the lead role in keeping children and adolescents safe. The MACPS will be a new specialist unit of child protection expertise for the Borough with a direct link to the Local Safeguarding Partnership providing local intelligence to inform strategic planning for safeguarding children and adolescents across Harrow.
The MACPS will comprise several teams working with the most vulnerable children at risk of exploitation, neglect, abuse, violence and criminality. It will include dedicated Child and Adolescent Protection Teams which consist of Lead Child Protection Practitioners, Missing Officers, Police, Education and Health partners. The teams will work in collaboration with the Family Help and Children Looked After Services on a co-allocated basis to lead on Section 47 enquiries, chair strategy meetings, child protection conferences, support impactful protection plans and promote Family Group Decision Making.
This is your opportunity to join us at a pivotal moment, influencing practice at a strategic level and creating the conditions for innovative practice. You will help shape the future of child protection in Harrow. We are recruiting a Head of Service and a Service Manager to establish and manage this new service.
What makes these roles special?
- Be part of a new dedicated service that sits at the heart of Harrow’s safeguarding arrangements, ambitious to strengthen quality and improve consistency.
- Champion the importance of relationships and family led, strengths based practice and systems thinking.
- Work closely with peers across children’s services and Harrow’s partners to foster a collaborative approach and contribute to services that aim to deliver outstanding outcomes for children.
- Be committed to inclusive and culturally competent practice, ensuring anti-discriminatory engagement with children and families.
- Have a key role in quality assurance to drive continuous improvement, modelling reflection and shared responsibility to nurture a culture of critical analysis, learning and innovation.
About You
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant leadership experience within statutory Children’s Social Care services.
- Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
- Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, safeguarding frameworks and statutory guidance.
- Experience leading multi-agency services and working effectively with safeguarding partners.
- Proven ability to drive service improvement, quality assurance and performance management.
- Experience managing large teams, budgets and complex operational services.
- Strong strategic leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience preparing services for inspection and delivering positive outcomes for children and families.
Head of Service (Multi Agency Child Protection Service) in London employer: Harrow Council
Join Harrow Children’s Services, an ambitious and transformative environment dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families in the London Borough of Harrow. As a Head of Service, you will be part of a pioneering Multi-Agency Child Protection Service, where collaboration and innovative practice are at the forefront of our mission. We offer a supportive work culture that values relationships, continuous professional development, and a commitment to inclusive practices, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in safeguarding vulnerable children and adolescents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service (Multi Agency Child Protection Service) in London
✨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 Harrow Council.
✨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 Harrow Council!
✨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 Harrow Council, 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 Harrow Council 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 (Multi Agency Child Protection Service) in London
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 Harrow Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Harrow Council! 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 Harrow Council
✨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.
