At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a skilled team to provide high-quality family therapy and support for children and families.
- Company: Join Havering Council, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a vibrant community with excellent transport links.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must hold a Master’s level Systemic Psychotherapy qualification and be UKCP registered.
The predicted salary is between 38140 - 46616 £ per year.
The vision for our People directorate is ‘Supporting our residents to stay safe and well’ and as such we are committed to helping Havering’s children and families to lead happy, healthy lives. This means ensuring that every child has equal opportunities to thrive, access the highest possible levels of education and enjoy a stable and happy home.
As our Service Manager Principal Family Therapist, you will lead Havering's Systemic Team and help set the tone for high quality, relationship-based, evidence-informed practice across Starting Well. You will work with skilled Family Therapists and practitioners who are committed to making direct work with families meaningful, purposeful and outcome focused.
The work is varied, influential and full of purpose. You will provide high quality clinical supervision, coaching and training; support highly specialist clinical assessments and direct work for children; offer systemic consultation to practitioners; and help operational teams turn complex family situations into clear, thoughtful and effective plans of support.
You will also have the space to think strategically. From quality assurance and audit activity to developing accessible and inclusive services with partners, you will help strengthen how evidence-based interventions are delivered for children, carers and families. Your insight will influence practice, support confident decision-making and contribute to a culture where great systemic work can thrive.
Why Havering? Because this is a place where your professional expertise can be visible, valued and genuinely useful. You will join a directorate with a clear vision, a strong commitment to systemic practice, access to accredited training and in-house practice workshops, and a leadership role that lets you make a real difference to both service development and frontline practice.
You will be an experienced systemic practitioner and leader with the ability to guide, motivate and support clinical staff in a complex children’s social care environment. You must hold a UK recognised Systemic Psychotherapy/Family Therapy qualification at Master’s level and be UKCP registered. You will also hold a UK recognised qualification in Systemic Supervision or equivalent. Registration with the UKCP United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapists plus the Association of Family and Systemic Therapists and membership would be compulsory for both in order to practice.
You will bring experience of operational leadership of diverse statutory teams in complex or multi-agency settings, together with strong knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance and practice relating to child social care. We are looking for someone with a proven track record of coaching, mentoring and supervising practitioners, influencing the quality of practice, and delivering positive outcomes for children and families. You will have experience of working within a systemic model of practice, including systemic supervision, and of developing and supervising family therapy clinics.
You will be highly organised, resilient and confident in setting clear priorities, objectives and standards, and delivering to challenging performance targets. Excellent written, verbal, presentation and IT skills are essential, alongside the ability to produce high quality analytical reports and maintain open, effective communication.
You will be able to collaborate effectively with professionals, partner agencies and stakeholders, influence services where there is no direct line management relationship, identify gaps in provision and advocate for resources or policy changes that improve outcomes for vulnerable children. A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is essential. You will foster a culturally accepting environment and support your team to work sensitively with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
Closing date: 27th September 2026
We want everyone to choose Havering. 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.
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.
Service Manager Principal Family Therapist in Romford employer: London Borough of Havering
Havering SEND and Alternative Provision Service is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where passionate professionals collaborate to improve outcomes for children and families. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working options, and access to state-of-the-art resources, you will thrive in a supportive multidisciplinary team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in shaping the future of early years support in Havering, where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will drive transformational change.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Havering Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager Principal Family Therapist in Romford
✨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 Service Manager Principal Family Therapist in Romford
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.
