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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in children's regulated services, ensuring high-quality outcomes for young people.
- Company: Large local authority in the vibrant East Midlands.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping strategic service delivery.
- Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with senior leadership experience in children's social care.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and strong governance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
An opportunity has arisen with a large local authority in the East Midlands for an experienced Head of Service - Children's Regulated Services to join on a 13-month ongoing interim assignment. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for a complex and high-profile portfolio of regulated children's services, playing a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality outcomes for children and young people while supporting strategic transformation, governance and financial sustainability.
Assignment Details
- Contract Length: 13 months (ongoing assignment)
- Pay Rate: 500 per day (Umbrella) Higher rates may be considered for exceptional candidates, based on experience
- Working Pattern: Hybrid - 1 to 2 days per week in the office. Remote working may be considered for an exceptional candidate
- Office Base: City-centre office, East Midlands
About the Role
You will provide strategic leadership across Children's Regulated Services, leading a portfolio that includes:
- Children's residential homes
- Semi-independent provision
- Fostering services
- Corporate parenting functions
Working closely with the Director of Children's Services, senior leaders, elected members and partners, you will translate strategic vision into operational delivery, ensuring services are safe, effective, compliant and continuously improving. A key focus of the role is strong governance, inspection readiness, placement sufficiency and ensuring the voice of the child is central to service design and delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across children's regulated services
- Act as Responsible Individual for residential care and fostering services
- Lead service development in line with national minimum standards, legislation and policy
- Drive innovation, quality assurance and performance improvement across the portfolio
- Lead placement sufficiency and work closely with commissioning to ensure best value
- Chair and contribute to placement and decision-making panels
- Champion corporate parenting responsibilities and co-production with children and young people
- Lead services through Ofsted inspection frameworks, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement
- Build strong partnerships across health, education, commissioning and safeguarding arrangements
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in both service delivery and workforce culture
What We're Looking For
- Registered Social Worker (Social Work England) with a relevant professional qualification
- Appropriate senior management qualification (or willingness to work towards one)
- Proven senior leadership experience within complex children's social care environments
- Demonstrable experience managing regulated services and leading through inspections
- Strong delivery of strategic outcomes, service improvement and transformation
- Experience of placement sufficiency, commissioning and financial governance
- Excellent partnership working, political awareness and decision-making skills
- Deep understanding of safeguarding, corporate parenting and inclusive practice
Apply now for a confidential discussion.
Head of Service - Children\'s Regulated Services employer: LinSocial Housing Ltd
Contact Detail:
LinSocial Housing Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Children\'s Regulated Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the children's services sector. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about opportunities. Remember, it's all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the local authority's recent initiatives and challenges. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine and demonstrate that you're the perfect fit for the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven service improvements or led teams through challenging times. We love hearing about real-life experiences that highlight your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream job in children's regulated services.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Children\'s Regulated Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in children's regulated services. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your leadership and strategic abilities!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous positions. Use metrics where possible to illustrate how you’ve driven service improvement and transformation – we love numbers!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and make sure your passion for improving outcomes for children shines through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in a timely manner!
How to prepare for a job interview at LinSocial Housing Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Head of Service role. Brush up on your knowledge of children's regulated services, governance, and inspection frameworks. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led teams or projects in complex environments. Highlight how you’ve driven service improvement and transformation, as this is crucial for the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Understand the Local Authority's Vision
Research the local authority’s strategic vision and current challenges. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals, especially around safe, high-quality outcomes for children and young people. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t forget that interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, and future challenges. This not only demonstrates your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and career aspirations.
