At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding services to ensure children receive the support and protection they need.
- Company: Join Havering Council, dedicated to improving lives and outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive leadership team, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation in safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping the future of safeguarding services.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with significant leadership experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 77550 - 87084 £ per year.
Our People Directorate vision is “Supporting our residents to stay safe and well.” Within Starting Well, we are committed to ensuring every child grows up safe, supported and able to achieve their full potential. We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our senior leadership team as Head of Service–Safeguarding, leading our safeguarding service and driving continued improvement in outcomes for children and families across Havering.
This is a pivotal strategic leadership role with responsibility for ensuring high-quality safeguarding services for children who require support, protection and intervention. Reporting into the Assistant Director and leading Service Managers, Team Managers and safeguarding teams, you will provide visible leadership across the service, ensuring children receive timely, effective and relationship-based interventions that improve safety, stability and long-term outcomes.
What I will do
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across safeguarding services, ensuring compliance with statutory duties, legislation, guidance and best practice.
- Lead a culture of high-quality, child-centred safeguarding practice that focuses on achieving positive outcomes for children and families.
- Drive service improvement through effective quality assurance, performance management, audit activity and learning from reviews and inspections.
- Lead and support Service Managers and Team Managers to deliver excellent practice, strong supervision and effective workforce development.
- Work collaboratively with partners across health, education, police, voluntary sector organisations and safeguarding partnerships to ensure children receive coordinated support.
- Provide strategic leadership for safeguarding performance, risk management, governance, commissioning and service development.
- Lead transformational change programmes and contribute to wider Starting Well priorities, helping shape the future of children's services in Havering.
- Ensure resources and budgets are managed effectively, delivering value for money whilst maintaining excellent services for children and families.
This is a unique opportunity to influence strategic safeguarding practice across the borough and play a key role in Havering's continued improvement journey. You will join an ambitious and supportive leadership team committed to excellence, innovation and achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people.
About You
You will be an accomplished and inspiring senior leader with substantial experience within statutory children's services and a strong track record of delivering excellent safeguarding outcomes. You will combine strategic vision with operational leadership and possess the credibility to influence practice, partnerships and organisational improvement.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker (CQSW, DipSW or equivalent professional qualification).
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- Significant senior leadership experience within Children's Services, including safeguarding services and service improvement.
- Extensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, Working Together principles and the legal framework governing children's services.
- Proven experience of leading large operational services, managing managers, developing high-performing teams and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Strong understanding of quality assurance, performance management, inspection frameworks and service improvement methodologies.
- Experience of working effectively within complex multi-agency environments, building strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience of strategic planning, resource management and budget accountability.
- Ability to analyse complex safeguarding issues, manage risk effectively and make sound decisions under pressure.
- Strong communication, influencing and presentation skills, with experience of engaging senior leaders, elected members, partners and inspectors.
Most importantly, you will be passionate about improving the lives of children and families, committed to relationship-based practice and capable of leading with integrity, compassion and ambition.
What Matters Most
Most importantly, you will bring a genuine commitment to children and young people, a passion for improving outcomes and a belief that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish. You will be ambitious and committed to supporting staff to do their best work and motivated by the opportunity to help Havering continue its improvement journey with pace, integrity and ambition.
Additional Information
When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.
The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
With its excellent transport links into central London, extensive town centre regeneration and the highest concentration of green space anywhere in London, Havering has a unique offer as a place to live, work and visit. By making the most of its position and opportunities, Havering is becoming a hub for start-ups and expanding businesses, as well as construction, logistics, engineering and manufacturing industries.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 2/8/26 however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
Head of Service - Safeguarding employer: London Borough of Havering
At the London Borough of Havering, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values diversity and fosters a supportive work culture. As a Section 20 Consultation Officer, you will benefit from competitive salary packages, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. Our commitment to transparency and customer-focused service ensures that you will be part of a dedicated team striving for continuous improvement and excellence in public service.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Havering Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Safeguarding
✨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 London Borough of Havering.
✨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 London Borough of Havering!
✨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 London Borough of Havering, 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 London Borough of Havering 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 - Safeguarding
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 London Borough of Havering:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Havering! 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 London Borough of Havering
✨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.
