At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape services for children in care and care leavers, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Havering, committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, market supplement, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting improvement journey in a vibrant and diverse community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team towards positive change.
- Qualifications: Must have a social work qualification and significant leadership experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
This role is subject to a £10,000 market supplement in addition to the advertised salary.
About the role
The London Borough of Havering's People Directorate vision is "Supporting our residents to stay safe and well." In Starting Well, this means creating the conditions for every child, young person and family in Havering to feel safe, be heard and achieve their best possible outcomes. Havering is on an ambitious journey of continuous improvement, and this is a significant leadership opportunity to shape services, influence strategic direction and drive excellent outcomes for children and young people who are looked after and care experienced.
As Head of Service – Corporate Parenting, you will provide strategic leadership for services supporting Children in Care, Care Leavers, Permanence and Corporate Parenting responsibilities, playing a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people experience stability, safety, permanence and the support they need to thrive. You will lead Service Managers and frontline teams to deliver purposeful, child-centred and relationship-based practice, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and that children receive support that is timely, effective and focused on achieving positive outcomes. You will also contribute as a key member of the Starting Well Senior Leadership Team, helping to shape the future direction of Children's Services in Havering.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing visible, inclusive and values-led leadership across Corporate Parenting services
- Driving service improvement through effective use of performance information, audit activity, quality assurance and feedback from children and young people
- Championing the voice of children and young people, ensuring their experiences and views influence service delivery and improvement
- Building strong and productive relationships with partners across education, health, police and the voluntary sector, and representing Havering confidently within local, regional and multi-agency partnerships
- Managing resources and budgets effectively, ensuring services deliver value for money whilst maintaining excellent outcomes for young people
About you
Havering is looking for an experienced and credible senior leader within Children's Services who is able to provide strategic direction whilst maintaining a strong focus on practice quality and outcomes. The successful candidate will bring the resilience, judgement and emotional intelligence needed to lead complex statutory services and inspire confidence across the workforce, partners and wider community.
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.
The ideal candidate will:
- Hold a recognised social work qualification (Diploma in Social Work, CQSW or equivalent)
- Be currently registered with Social Work England
- Have significant senior leadership experience within Children’s Services
- Have a strong track record of improving practice quality, performance and outcomes within Corporate Parenting, Children in Care, Care Leavers, Permanence or related statutory services
- Have detailed knowledge of children’s social care legislation, statutory guidance and practice frameworks
- Have proven experience of leading, developing and motivating managers and teams
- Have experience of delivering service improvement through performance management, quality assurance and learning
- Have strong partnership working skills and the ability to influence across a complex system
- Have experience of budget and resource management
- Have excellent analytical, strategic planning and decision-making skills
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. The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If appointed to this role, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About Havering
A message from our director: There has never been a more exciting or meaningful time to join Havering Children’s Services. Following the outcome of our Ofsted inspection in December 2023, we have embraced a clear and ambitious improvement journey, one defined by honesty, reflection and a genuine commitment to delivering the very best outcomes for children and families. As we move into year three of our improvement plan, we are not starting from scratch, we are building on strong foundations already laid and accelerating the pace of meaningful, sustainable change.
Alongside our improvement journey, we have continued to make strong progress in delivering the Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) reforms. A key milestone in this has been the launch of our first Family Help pilot team in April 2026, developed in line with the national reforms to provide earlier, more joined up and relationship-based support for families.
Havering is an outer London borough like no other. Sitting in Northeast London (Zone 6), we have three Crossrail stations in borough which means we are only 30 minutes from Oxford Street. We are well connected to the hustle and bustle of the city, whilst just a short drive or bus ride from the surrounding Essex countryside and coast, giving our residents the best of both city and rural living. It’s no wonder that we have one of the fastest growing and increasingly diverse child populations in the country, who benefit from living in one of the greenest areas in London. We have some amazing parks, 16 of which have green flag award status, and we are served by a rich mix of foundation, community, voluntary aided and academy schools with great Ofsted ratings.
Havering Town Hall, which hosts our main offices, is in the centre of Romford - our largest town and home to a vibrant street market dating back to 1247. Our offices are a 5 minute walk from the main shopping centres which host a range of popular shops, restaurants and gyms.
We are dedicated to creating the right conditions to support our social care practitioners to thrive by fostering an environment where you can develop your skills and knowledge alongside like-minded individuals. We value our employees and offer a range of benefits:
- A commitment to manageable caseloads and stable teams
- A clear and supported improvement journey, with a leadership team that is visible, committed and invested in your success
- £4,000 annual market supplement for Social Workers, Advanced Practitioners, Team Managers and Service Managers
- Accredited systemic training, in-house practice application workshops and reflective practice opportunities
- A tailored training programme and development opportunities through our dedicated Social Care Academy, plus a corporate offer of 10 days of learning per year
- A family-friendly employer welcoming applications for part-time roles at 0.5 full time equivalent
- Generous local government pension scheme and leave entitlement
- A strong corporate health and wellbeing offer, discounted gym membership, employee assistance programme and much more
- Annual staff recognition schemes (STAR awards and Social Care awards) celebrating staff commitment and achievement
- Access to a range of staff forums including LGBTQI+, RISE, Faith, Ability, Women's and Men's forums
- Modern workplace equipped with the latest technology
- Subsidised parking at various council-owned car parks across the borough
Head of Service - Corporate Parenting in London 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
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Corporate Parenting in London
✨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 Social Work for Children.
✨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 Social Work for Children!
✨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 Social Work for Children, 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 Social Work for Children 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 - Corporate Parenting in London
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 Social Work for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Social Work for Children! 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 Social Work for Children
✨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.
