Clinical Team Lead - Children and Families Service
Hackney is seeking an experienced and dynamic Clinical Lead to head a newly redesigned, in-house Mental Health Service within Children and Family Services. In this pivotal role, you will hold overall strategic, operational, and clinical governance accountability for a specialist team of therapists dedicated to supporting looked-after children, care leavers, and young people within the Youth Justice Service.
The service includes an established Family Therapy clinic and delivers flexible, trauma-informed care to some of the most vulnerable children and families. Beyond direct clinical delivery, the Clinical Team Lead acts as the principal clinical authority across the directorate - driving systemic innovation, establishing robust clinical governance, providing expert consultation, and shaping workforce development across the Children and Education Directorate.
Hackney is on an ambitious journey to embed a Systemic, Trauma-informed, and Anti-Racist (STAR) practice model, deeply committed to anti-oppressive practice and actively centring the lived experiences of families and clinicians with marginalised identities. Key responsibilities include:
- Establishing and overseeing directorate-wide clinical governance frameworks, quality assurance standards, and clinical risk protocols to ensure safe, high-quality, and evidence-based practice
- Providing vision, high-level clinical governance, budget oversight, and strategic direction to a multidisciplinary team of two Highly Specialist Therapists, 6.6 FTE Specialist Therapists, and one Assistant Psychologist
- Overseeing and delivering complex, evidence-based psychological assessments and interventions across Corporate Parenting and Youth Justice Services
- Leading the design and delivery of clinical training and reflective spaces for social work and frontline staff, embedding systemic thinking across the wider directorate
- Representing Hackney on borough-wide, regional (ICB), and NHS boards to lead joint care pathways, influence health strategy, and integrate multi-agency mental health provision
About you
Hackney is looking for an ambitious senior registered clinician with substantial post-qualification experience and a proven track record in senior clinical leadership, management, and service development. The right candidate will bring a profound, demonstrable commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, reflecting and championing the values of the STAR framework.
The ideal candidate will:
- Hold registration with a relevant professional body (e.g. HCPC, UKCP, BACP, or equivalent)
- Have significant experience of 6 or more years post-qualification delivering specialist therapeutic interventions to highly vulnerable children, young people, and families in complex statutory environments
- Demonstrate proven expertise in clinical governance, risk management, and service transformation
- Have experience managing operational budgets
- Possess deep knowledge of complex trauma, systemic practice, safeguarding, and multi-agency legal frameworks
- Show a profound, demonstrable commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice
Hackney Council is committed to eradicating discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The Council also recognises that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances and works to eliminate discrimination caused by social class. Applications are particularly welcomed from disabled people, as this group is currently under-represented in the workforce.
An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
About Hackney
Our vision is to make Hackney a place for everyone. Where all our residents, whatever their background, have a chance to lead healthy and successful lives; a place of which everyone can be proud, with excellent services and public spaces, thriving businesses, and strong communities; a place that celebrates diversity, and where everyone can feel valued, included, and involved.
It is an exciting time to be working in Hackney as we are embedding our practice model of Systemic, Trauma informed and Anti-Racist practice. We are an innovative borough where we collaborate to support change for the children and families we work for and for each other. You will change and develop while working in Hackney and we will be behind you every step of the way. So, why don't you find yourself in Hackney?
Our Offer To You
Retention bonus for social workers (post ASYE) of £1500 every 6 months and senior social workers in the Family Help Services
Wellbeing Day for staff within the Family Help Services - a fortnightly day off in lieu, recognising the hard work and time that practitioners put into their practice
Ad hoc parking permits available for social workers when required to use a vehicle for their role.
We prioritise the development and growth of staff and have reviewed and updated our ASYE programme of support, to ensure a structured learning programme that understands the journey of the child and utilises protected time.
Celebration and appreciation opportunities including a World Social Work Week thank you event.
Dedicated support from Practice Lead’s across the services including a Anti-Racist Practice Strategic Lead working to embed active anti-racist practice and support staff’s anti-racism journey.
Monthly case level supervision and monthly group supervision for collaboration and support when things feel stuck.
A comprehensive training and development offer including a 4 day training in our Systemic, Trauma-informed and Anti-Racist Practice Model plus opportunities to apply for Practice Educator training and the Systemic Year 1 Certificate as well as a multitude of other practice related trainings.
Access to Research in Practice.
Opportunity to apply for our internally commissioned bespoke Realising Potential training - a leadership and development programme specifically for Black and Global Majority staff.
Opportunities to shadow and observe senior leaders throughout the service.
Access to MagicNotes to support case recording.
As well as our Council-wide benefits:
Generous holiday allowance - 28 days a year, rising to 33 after five years
Unrivalled pension scheme
Flexible working options
Family friendly policies
A range of discounts, including subsidised gym membership and local eating
Access to financial and season ticket loans
Health and wellbeing benefits, such as lunchtime fitness classes
A comprehensive training and development offer
We are a member of Cycle Scheme and offer free pool bikes
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Clinical Team Lead - Children and Families Service employer: London Social Work for Children
Haringey Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and community engagement. With a strong commitment to professional development through the Haringey Academy and access to clinical support, social workers are empowered to make meaningful impacts in the lives of children and families. Located in the dynamic borough of Haringey, employees benefit from a supportive environment, competitive remuneration, and the opportunity to be part of a transformative journey towards excellence in children's services.
Contact Details:
London Social Work for Children Recruitment Team
