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- Tasks: Lead and transform Children's Social Care services in a diverse borough.
- Company: Harrow Council, committed to making a real difference for children and families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful leadership role, and the chance to create lasting change.
- Other info: Join us in a dynamic environment focused on sustainable improvement and community collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on children's lives and lead a dedicated team through transformation.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with senior leadership experience in local authority Children’s Social Care.
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 in London 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 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector, especially those who have experience in local authorities. They might have insider info on the role or even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Harrow's current challenges and successes in Children’s Social Care. Show us that you’re not just a leader but someone who understands the unique landscape of the borough.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your vision for modernising services. We want to hear how you plan to drive cultural change and improve outcomes for children and families. Bring your innovative ideas to the table!
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Children's Social Care in London
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 in Harrow.
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.
Align with Our Values: Make sure to align your application with our priorities, like evidence-based practice and inclusion. We want to know how your values match ours and how you can contribute to our ambitious goals.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
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 relevant 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 Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership experiences, especially in high-pressure situations. Think of specific examples where you’ve successfully led service improvements or navigated complex challenges, and be ready to explain how you can bring that expertise to Harrow.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with various partners, such as schools, health services, and the voluntary sector. Be prepared to share how you’ve fostered strong partnerships in the past and how you plan to do so in this role.
✨Communicate Your Vision
Articulate a clear vision for Children’s Social Care in Harrow. Discuss how you would drive cultural change and modernise services while ensuring sustainability. Show them you’re not just a leader but a visionary who can inspire others.