At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform children's social care services to support young people and families.
- Company: Join Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on innovation and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in your community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in children's services and a passion for safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 85084 - 89847 £ per year.
Location: Solihull, UK
Salary: 85,084 - 89,847 per year
Employment: Full time
Category: Social Care
Posted: 2026-09-08
Apply: here
Job Introduction
Are you passionate about delivering excellent services to Children and Young People and want to be part of an organisation that is committed to continuous improvement to the way it supports children and families? This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council as we embrace Children’s Social Care and SEND reforms through innovation and positive change. We are currently recruiting for two Head of Service positions with Children's Social Care:
- Head of Service – Early Help, Prevention & Stable Loving Homes
- Head of Service – Children's Transformation and Strategy
We are committed to being ambitious in the way that we will work with children, young people, their families and carers in a restorative way. We are focusing on protecting children and young people and keeping them safe, whilst developing our early help and preventative services to ensure that we provide children and families with the support they need at the right time. We are transforming our service delivery, and we have committed a considerable investment in expanding our permanent and skilled workforce.
As Head of Service for Early Help, Prevention and Stable Loving Homes, you will have a proven track record or transferable experience of leading and delivering high-quality children’s services across Early Help, Family Hubs, Best Start in Life, Youth Justice, Residential Services and services supporting permanence, stability and family networks. We are looking for an inspirational, inclusive and engaging leader who can provide strategic and operational leadership across prevention, early intervention and support for vulnerable young people, including exploitation, missing and contextual safeguarding, while strengthening partnership working and embedding practice standards that improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
As Head of Service for Children’s Transformation and Strategy, you will have a significant track record of leading strategic improvement, transformation and change within a complex organisation. We are looking for an inclusive and engaging leader who can maintain a clear strategic overview across Children’s Services, strengthen governance, assurance and reporting arrangements, lead inspection readiness and improvement activity, and identify opportunities to innovate, transform and improve services in line with Directorate and Council priorities.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including up to 30 days annual leave, flexible working, high street discount offers, up to 6k relocation allowance, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
Both roles require visible, collaborative and inclusive leadership across Children’s Services, working closely with colleagues, partners and communities to build strong relationships, strengthen governance, drive improvement and deliver high-quality services for children, young people and families. Being office based is vital in establishing these relationships and providing the leadership presence needed to support effective partnership working, service transformation and delivery. This is complemented by our hybrid working model, which enables our workforce to work flexibly in line with service needs while continuing to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
About you
You will be a dynamic, forward-thinking strategic senior manager, with a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Children’s Services and extensive experience of leading in a fast-paced, complex environment. This may include experience across Early Help, Youth Justice, Residential Services and Family Hubs, or across transformation, innovation, governance, assurance, development and improvement. You will have experience in the development and delivery of services and be confident in demonstrating strong leadership and management skills, driving forward excellent practice, continuous improvement and positive change.
You will need to be a strong inclusive leader, who is able to influence, build and maintain strong internal and external relationships to ensure consistency, effective communication and working together. You’ll be incredibly passionate about the challenges and ambitions in consistently safeguarding children and young people in Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
If you have what it takes to deliver a demanding, change-driven, high-profile role where you have the scope to help shape the future for children and young people, we’d love to hear from you.
For further information please contact: Lauren Kocan – lauren.kocan@solihull.gov.uk
Closing Date – 20 September 2026
Interviews will be held on 1st or 2nd October 2026. Candidates will be required to complete online Psychometric assessments prior to the interview as part of the recruitment process. This post will require an enhanced DBS check. Please note: As part of our compliance and safer recruitment requirements, references will be sought for all successful candidates following interview. A reference must be provided by the candidate’s current or most recent employer or training provider. Where this does not cover the last three years, an additional reference will be required from the candidate’s next most recent employer or training provider. Posts subject to statutory regulation may require additional scrutiny. Personal/character references will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances.
This is an essential car user post as the demands of the job make it operationally essential and there is a contractual requirement to make a suitable vehicle available to ensure the requirements of the job can be carried out effectively. Applicants must be able to drive, have a driving licence and be a car owner, however for disabled applicants, reasonable adjustments will be made where required. This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.
Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and a commitment to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Head of Service - Children's Social Care in Solihull employer: Solihull Borough Council
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative work environment for its employees. As part of the Community Occupational Therapy Team, you will benefit from flexible working options, extensive wellbeing initiatives, and a strong commitment to professional development, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of Solihull residents. Join us in shaping the future of Occupational Therapy services and enjoy the rewards of working in a collaborative and inclusive culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Children's Social Care in Solihull
✨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 Solihull Borough Council.
✨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 Solihull Borough Council!
✨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 Solihull Borough Council, 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 Solihull Borough Council 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 - Children's Social Care in Solihull
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 Solihull Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Solihull Borough Council! 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 Solihull Borough Council
✨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.
