At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead youth services and ensure a strong safeguarding culture at Inspire.
- Company: Inspire, a youth-focused charity dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a chance to make a real impact in the community.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and contribute to meaningful organisational strategy.
- Why this job: Shape the future of youth services and drive positive change for young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading youth services and strong safeguarding knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Head of Services/Designated Safeguarding Lead Maternity cover (fixed-term for 12 months) Full-time (37.5 hours a week) At Inspire, we support thousands of young people each year to build confidence, develop skills, and move forward positively in their lives. Everything we do is shaped by our commitment to being Led by youth, driven by insight, and growing with purpose. We are now looking for a Head of Services & Designated Safeguarding Lead (maternity cover) to join our Senior Leadership Team and continue leading our delivery across Suffolk during this period.
This is a key leadership role within Inspire, responsible for providing both strategic and operational oversight of all youth-facing services. You’ll lead 5 Service Leads across our core areas of:
- Youth & Community Work
- Personal Development
- Skills
- Employer Partnerships
Working closely with the CEO and wider SLT, you’ll ensure our services are high-quality, impactful, and centred around the needs of young people. You’ll also act as our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), playing a vital role in maintaining a strong safeguarding culture across the organisation.
You will be responsible for:
- Line management responsibility of our team of Service Leads, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Strategic oversight of service delivery, ensuring alignment with Inspire’s vision and strategic priorities
- Budget responsibility
- Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring best practice and compliance across all services
- Using insight, data, and youth voice to demonstrate quality and impact of services
- Building strong relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders
- Contributing to organisational strategy and planning as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience leading youth-focused services and driving impactful delivery
- Has strong safeguarding knowledge and experience
- Can manage budgets, contracts, and funding relationships effectively
- Is insight-driven, using data and feedback to improve services
- Builds strong partnerships and works collaboratively
- Has a genuine passion for supporting young people to reach their potential
If you’re ready to take on a senior leadership role where you can influence real change for young people, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV and covering letter to Andy Crump, CEO at andyc@inspirecharityuk.org Closing date for applications is 1700 hours on Monday, 8th June 2026. Interviews will be held on Monday, 29th June 2026 and Tuesday, 7th July 2026 and we are looking for the successful candidate to start mid August 2026.
Senior Services Leader & Safeguarding Lead (Maternity Cover) in Ipswich employer: Inspire Suffolk
At Inspire, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering young people and fostering a collaborative work environment. Our commitment to professional development ensures that employees have ample opportunities for growth, while our strong safeguarding culture prioritises the well-being of both staff and the youth we serve. Located in Suffolk, we offer a supportive atmosphere where your contributions can make a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Services Leader & Safeguarding Lead (Maternity Cover) in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the youth services sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed budgets, and improved services. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨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 keen on being part of our community at Inspire, where we’re all about supporting young people together.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Services Leader & Safeguarding Lead (Maternity Cover) in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role of Senior Services Leader & Safeguarding Lead. Highlight your leadership experience, safeguarding knowledge, and any relevant achievements in youth-focused services.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about supporting young people and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Insight-Driven Approach:We love data-driven decision-making! In your application, mention specific examples where you've used insight and feedback to improve services. This will show us that you understand the importance of being insight-driven in our work.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us smoothly, apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your documents and can review them promptly. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspire Suffolk
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the role, especially around safeguarding and youth services. Brush up on Inspire’s mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve fostered collaboration and accountability among your team members.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using insight and data to improve services, come prepared with examples of how you’ve used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This will show that you understand the importance of evidence-based practice.
✨Build Connections
Demonstrate your ability to build strong partnerships by discussing your experiences working with stakeholders and funders. Highlight any successful collaborations that have led to impactful outcomes for young people.
