Head Of Service

This Head of Service role in Taunton is a senior management position within Somerset’s children’s services, requiring a social work qualified and experienced senior manager. You will oversee the Family Safeguarding Teams across the county at four different sites, with a specialism in legal tracking and chairing the weekly legal gateway meetings. The role includes direct line management of four Operations Managers, and as part of the HoS group you will attend and chair other meetings where appropriate. Responsibilities span strategic leadership, quality assurance and standards, resource and budget management, and practice oversight of complex safeguarding, child protection and permanence cases.

Hybrid - Children's Social Care Head of Service - Safeguarding

Salary: £358.91 Per Day
Hours: 37 Hours
Working Schedule: Monday to Friday
Contract Length: 7 Month with possible extension
Location: Somerset

Job Details

3 Days in Somerset Minimum

As we move to implementing the Families First Partnership reforms in the county, we require extra capacity in the Head of Service (HoS) resource to ensure a smooth transition and continued focus on delivering services to children and families.

We are committed to ensuring we deliver the very best services that we can so are looking for a social work qualified experienced senior manager to take on this important role in Somerset.

You will oversee the Family Safeguarding Teams across the county over 4 different sites with a specialism in legal tracking and chairing of the weekly legal gateway meetings.

As part of the HoS group you will attend and chair other meetings where appropriate.

Direct line management of 4 Operations Managers.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Shape service design, policy development, and change management across children's services.

• Quality Assurance & Standards: Drive robust quality assurance, audit cultures, inspection readiness, and compliance with statutory legislation and Social Work England standards.

• Resource & Budget Management: Oversee service budgets, workforce planning, staff supervision, and performance management.

• Practice Oversight: Provide expert guidance and governance on complex safeguarding, child protection, and permanence cases.

If you feel you have the skills and experience for the role please apply with your most recent CV for consideration.