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- Tasks: Lead and transform Children's Social Care services in a diverse borough.
- Company: Harrow Council, committed to improving children's services.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a significant impact and lead change.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference for children and families.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of children's social care.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with senior leadership experience in local authority settings.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.
A pivotal leadership role at a defining moment. Harrow is on an ambitious improvement journey, and we are seeking an exceptional Director of Children’s Social Care to help lead the service out of intervention in a way that is sustainable, confident and future‑focused. This is a rare opportunity to take on end‑to‑end responsibility for Children’s Social Care in a diverse borough where you can genuinely see the impact of your leadership.
Children’s Social Care in Harrow is under pressure and there is no let‑up. The expectations are high, timescales are tight, and the need for clear, resilient leadership has never been greater. Our priorities include:
- Exiting intervention sustainably, without risk of regression
- Families First programme implementation
- Driving a whole‑system cultural and practice change, grounded in evidence‑based social work
- Modernising services and reshaping the narrative – this is a service with real potential and we want a leader who can communicate that ambition
- Reducing reliance on external placements and improving sufficiency
- Strengthening outcomes across early help & child in need, safeguarding, children in care, permanency, care leavers and early help
You will lead statutory and non‑statutory services for children and families, with delegated responsibility for a £24.9m budget, and act as the practice leader for Children’s Social Care across the borough. You will work closely with committed and established partners including schools, police, health colleagues across the West & North London ICB (WNL), the voluntary sector and a stable partnership landscape with three family hubs already in place.
We are seeking a compassionate, resilient and credible Social care practice leader who:
- Has significant senior leadership experience in local authority Children’s Social Care
- Brings a strong track record of service improvement under pressure, including inspection readiness
- Is confident leading whole‑system change and has experience of running complex services, budgets and placements
- Is ambitious, innovative and emotionally intelligent, with the strength to lead through challenge
- Believes deeply in evidence‑based practice, inclusion and high‑quality supervision
- Has a sophisticated understanding of SEND, safeguarding and partnership working
You must be a qualified and registered social worker, with extensive knowledge of legislation, inspection frameworks and statutory safeguarding responsibilities. Harrow is a diverse borough with strong partners and a genuine appetite for change. This is a role for someone who wants to make a difference quickly, visibly and at scale. If you are motivated by challenge, purpose and the chance to leave a lasting legacy for children and families, we would love to hear from you.
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 26th June 2026 at 9:00am
At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals.
Director of Children's Social Care employer: Tile Hill Executive Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Tile Hill Executive Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Children's Social Care
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector, especially those who might have insights into Harrow's current challenges. A friendly chat can lead to valuable information and even recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Harrow's recent initiatives and challenges in children's social care. Show us that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your past experiences leading through tough times. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven change and improved services under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Children's Social Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director of Children's Social Care. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your background fits into our ambitious improvement journey!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to detail your experience and how it meets the key criteria for the role. Be specific and use examples to demonstrate your impact in previous roles, especially under pressure.
Keep It Concise: Remember, we have a maximum limit of four sides of A4 for both your CV and supporting statement. Be concise and focus on the most relevant information. We appreciate clarity and brevity, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your documents. If you run into any issues, just reach out to the contact provided. We’re here to help you through the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tile Hill Executive Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest legislation and inspection frameworks related to Children’s Social Care. Brush up on your knowledge of SEND and safeguarding, as these are crucial for the role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just a leader, but a knowledgeable one.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with the ambitious goals of Harrow's Children’s Social Care. Think about examples where you've successfully led change under pressure and how you’ve driven service improvements. This is your chance to demonstrate your emotional intelligence and resilience.
✨Connect with the Community
Familiarise yourself with Harrow’s diverse community and the existing partnerships in place. Be ready to talk about how you would engage with schools, health colleagues, and the voluntary sector to strengthen outcomes for children and families. Showing that you understand the local landscape will set you apart.
✨Prepare Your Vision
Articulate a clear vision for the future of Children’s Social Care in Harrow. Think about how you would implement the Families First programme and modernise services. Having a forward-thinking plan will demonstrate your ambition and commitment to making a lasting impact.