We are looking for a dedicated and passionate Head of Service to join our Family Support & Safeguarding Service in our drive for excellence.
In Barking and Dagenham, we are determined to do the very best for the children, young people, families and carers that we work with across our community. We recognise the real challenges they experience, living in one of the most deprived boroughs in London. We are committed to developing robust teams and services to ensuring the right support at the right time so they have the ‘best chance ‘to thrive, be safe and happy.
As a Head of Service your role will be central to providing exceptional and creative leadership for our Family Support & Safeguarding Service and making a positive difference to children and their families.
You will be required to plan, organise and manage your services, providing effective strategic and operational management and support, driving high performance and timely outcomes for children subject to Child in need plans, Child protection plans and those within care proceedings. We know safeguarding work is both rewarding and emotionally challenging and we therefore expect our Head of service to create a nurturing and supportive work environment for staff where they feel contained, safe, supported and cared for in order that they can be the best they can be in their role.
We are looking for someone who will be a caring, inspiring, innovative and motivated leader. Someone who will embrace the values, principles and behaviours as set out in our CARES Practice framework which centres on Relational, Restorative and Strength-based practice. Someone who is able to empower others through participation, nurture relationships, be reflective and build a resilient workforce and service. Someone who can create possibilities through making connections.
Extensive and proven experience in managing staff, improving performance and driving professional standards is key to success in this role. A demonstrated ability to calmly managing risk and lead on change.
We are putting the heart back into social work, supported by our relational practice model where we ensure the child’s lived experience takes centre stage.
Ours is a culture of high support, high expectations and fair challenge. We need committed individuals to support us in the delivery of these aims and to become part of our team to make a difference to our children and families.
In return we offer a competitive pay package, £2.5k Recruitment and £2.5k Retention Allowance, generous pension and relocation package, annual leave up to 31 days, excellent opportunities for career progression, whether you want to broaden your experience as a social worker or step into management, investment in your learning and development as well as a commitment to your wellbeing. We are currently reviewing our pay and benefits offer. The details in this advert reflect the offer that is in place at the time of this recruitment campaign.