At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead services supporting vulnerable children and young people, ensuring they thrive and feel safe.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Havering, a community-focused organisation with a commitment to improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, market supplement, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to continuous improvement and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people while shaping future services.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience in Children's Services and a passion for improving outcomes.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: Romford, United Kingdom
Schedule: Full time
Posted: 2026-10-27
Closes: 2026-11-10
Our 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. We are ambitious for all children and young people, including those who need assessment and safeguarding support, children with disabilities, children in care and care-experienced young people.
We are looking for an exceptional senior leader who shares that ambition and can help us continue to strengthen practice, partnership working and outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
About the Role
As Head of Service – Corporate Parenting, you will provide strategic leadership for services supporting Children in Care, Care Leavers, Permanence and Corporate Parenting responsibilities. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people experience stability, safety, permanence and the support they need to thrive. 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.
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.
- Provide visible, inclusive and values-led leadership across Corporate Parenting services.
- Lead services supporting Children in Care, Care Leavers and Permanence, ensuring high standards of practice and decision-making.
- Drive service improvement through effective use of performance information, audit activity, quality assurance and feedback from children and young people.
- Develop and support Service Managers and teams through reflective supervision, performance management and workforce development.
- Champion the voice of children and young people, ensuring their experiences and views influence service delivery and improvement.
- Represent Havering confidently within local, regional and multi-agency partnerships.
- Manage resources and budgets effectively, ensuring services deliver value for money whilst maintaining excellent outcomes for young people.
- Contribute as a key member of the Starting Well Senior Leadership Team, helping to shape the future direction of Children's Services in Havering.
We are on an ambitious journey of continuous improvement and are committed to delivering the highest quality services for children, young people and families.
Practice excellence, corporate parenting and permanence, inclusion and diversity, workforce development, partnership working, continuous improvement.
This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people while helping shape the future of Children's Services in Havering.
About You
You will be an experienced and credible senior leader within Children's Services, able to provide strategic direction whilst maintaining a strong focus on practice quality and outcomes. You will bring the resilience, judgement and emotional intelligence needed to lead complex statutory services and inspire confidence across the workforce, partners and wider community.
- Significant senior leadership experience within Children's Services.
- A strong track record of improving practice quality, performance and outcomes within Corporate Parenting, Children in Care, Care Leavers, Permanence or related statutory services.
- Detailed knowledge of children's social care legislation, statutory guidance and practice frameworks.
- Experience of delivering service improvement through performance management, quality assurance and learning.
- Experience of budget and resource management.
- Excellent analytical, strategic planning and decision-making skills.
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 for children in care and care-experienced young people, 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.
If you are an inspiring leader who wants to make a real difference for children and young people, we would love to hear from you.
Should you require any help or advice with your online application, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk on 01708 432770.
Additional Information
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.
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.
About the company
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.
Head of Service Manager in Romford employer: The London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment for professionals dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families. With a focus on collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, employees benefit from tailored induction packages, regular supervision, and opportunities for professional development, all while enjoying the advantages of flexible working arrangements and excellent transport links. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community and shaping the future of early years support in a vibrant and green borough.
Contact Details:
The London Borough of Havering Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service Manager in Romford
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
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How to prepare for a job interview at The London Borough of Havering
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✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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