At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Families First approach to improve outcomes for children and families in Warwickshire.
- Company: Warwickshire County Council, dedicated to supporting young people and families.
- Benefits: Generous pension, agile working, ample annual leave, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Fixed-term role until March 2028 with opportunities for travel and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading innovative service improvements.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification, experience in children's social care, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Now is an exciting time to be part of Warwickshire’s Children & Families team as we continue to embed the Families First approach across our teams to support young people in our County. Our approach is about locality working, multidisciplinary and multi‑agency teams that support the whole family. Building strong partnerships with local services, Health, Police and Education.
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious leader to join our Children & Families leadership team as Head of Service – Families First (Quality & Performance). This is a key strategic role within Warwickshire County Council, responsible for driving forward our Families First approach, strengthening quality assurance, and ensuring strong performance across Children’s Services. The postholder will play a central role in delivering continued system‑wide improvement, working closely with partners across the safeguarding system. You will provide strategic leadership, ensuring services are delivered and commissioned effectively, proportionately, and with a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and families. You will lead on quality assurance, performance management, inspection readiness and continuous improvement, supporting the delivery of our wider charge ambitions.
Qualifications & Experience
- Significant experience in children’s social care and safeguarding.
- Social work qualification and registration.
- A strong track record of leading improvement and transformation.
- Expertise in quality assurance and performance.
- The ability to work effectively across complex multi‑agency partnerships.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and deliver through others.
Key Requirements
The role is a fixed‑term position to 31 March 2028. It will be based at Shire Hall, Warwick but will require commitment to travel around the County to support best practice across our teams and partner agencies. Applicants for the role will need a professional Social Work qualification and Social Work England Registration. Successful applicants will be subject to a range of pre‑engagement checks, including a relevant Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS).
Benefits
We provide a generous pension scheme with an employer contribution rate of typically around 19 percent per month, along with a range of benefits for members and their dependants, including agile working, generous annual leave entitlement, bank holidays, an additional day at Christmas, and access to the Vivup benefits and discounts platform.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under‑representation in its workforce.
Additional Information
Warwickshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. In accordance with the DBS code of practice and our own policy, should an individual have a declared criminal offence an individual assessment will be completed. Warwickshire County Council adheres to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Children & Families Head of Service – Families First (Quality & Performance) in Warwick employer: WMJobs
Warwickshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for those passionate about improving the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits including a robust pension scheme and agile working options, and a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in their communities while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children & Families Head of Service – Families First (Quality & Performance) in Warwick
✨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 WMJobs.
✨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 WMJobs!
✨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 WMJobs, 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 WMJobs 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 Children & Families Head of Service – Families First (Quality & Performance) in Warwick
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 WMJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WMJobs! 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 WMJobs
✨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.
