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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: Competitive salary, impactful leadership role, and opportunity for real change.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to sustainable improvement and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a significant difference in children's lives and shape the future of social care.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with senior leadership experience in local authority settings.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 117800 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
- 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 May 2026 at 9:00am
Director of Children's Social Care employer: TILE HILL
Contact Detail:
TILE HILL 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 professionals in the field of children's social care, especially those who have experience in local authorities. Attend relevant events or webinars to make connections and learn about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Harrow's current challenges and successes in children's social care. Be ready to discuss how your leadership style can drive sustainable change and improve outcomes for children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your track record! Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've led service improvements under pressure. Highlight your experience with complex budgets and partnerships, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Children's Social Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for children's social care shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families, so share your motivations and experiences that fuel this drive.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Highlight your senior leadership experience and any specific achievements in service improvement. We’re looking for concrete examples that demonstrate your ability to lead under pressure and drive change, so don’t hold back on the details!
Align with Our Values: Make sure your application reflects our commitment to evidence-based practice and inclusion. We want to know how your values align with ours, so weave in your understanding of SEND, safeguarding, and partnership working throughout your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at TILE HILL
✨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 practices, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading complex services and driving whole-system change. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets and improved service delivery under pressure.
✨Communicate Your Vision
Articulate a clear vision for the future of Children’s Social Care in Harrow. Think about how you can modernise services and reshape narratives, and be prepared to share your ideas on achieving sustainable improvements.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
As a leader, emotional intelligence is key. Prepare to discuss how you’ve navigated challenges with compassion and resilience, and how you plan to foster a culture of inclusion and high-quality supervision within the team.