C&YP Head of Service, Safeguarding(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Automotive Jobs, Health and Care
Uk
December 16, 2025
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

A Senior Leadership Role with System-Wide Impact

Herefordshire Council is inviting applications from experienced senior leaders who are ready to influence, challenge, and strengthen safeguarding practice across children’s services. This role offers a rare opportunity to operate at the heart of strategic decision-making while remaining closely connected to frontline social work and the lived experiences of children and families.

Reporting directly to the Director of Children’s Services (DCS), you will play a critical role in shaping the direction, quality, and assurance of safeguarding services across the county. You will work collaboratively with partners, inspectors, and senior colleagues to ensure children and young people are protected, listened to, and supported to thrive.

Your Leadership Purpose

As Head of Safeguarding, Review and Quality Assurance, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across statutory safeguarding and review functions. You will be a visible, values-driven leader who champions reflective practice, learning cultures, and restorative approaches to social work.

You will ensure that safeguarding arrangements are robust, child-focused, and continuously improving, while keeping the voices and experiences of children, young people, and families central to service development.

Key Responsibilities

In this influential post, you will:

  • Lead and oversee statutory safeguarding and review services, including Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO), Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) functions, and Child Protection Conferences.
  • Act as Principal Social Worker for Children’s Services, promoting professional standards, workforce development, and high-quality practice.
  • Design and deliver a comprehensive quality assurance framework, ensuring learning from audits, complaints, rapid reviews, and serious case reviews directly informs improvement.
  • Provide leadership to senior managers and practitioners, fostering a culture of accountability, reflection, and continuous learning.
  • Manage significant service budgets and ensure resources are used effectively to deliver safe, sustainable services.
  • Support inspection readiness and represent the Council confidently during regulatory activity.
  • Lead on complaints and compliments at a strategic level, ensuring transparency and learning.
  • Contribute to partnership safeguarding priorities and represent the Council in multi-agency and statutory review processes.
  • Deputise for the Service Director when required.

About You

We are seeking a credible and confident senior leader who brings depth of experience and a strong values base.

You will demonstrate:

  • Substantial leadership experience within children’s safeguarding and statutory social care services.
  • A proven ability to lead and embed effective quality assurance and service improvement frameworks.
  • Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability, and partnership-working skills.
  • The confidence to lead in complex, high-pressure environments.
  • A clear commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people, and families.
  • Professional credibility with the ability to influence across organisational boundaries.

Essential requirements:

  • A recognised social work qualification (Degree, DipSW, or CQSW).
  • Current registration with Social Work England.

What We Offer

Herefordshire Council offers a comprehensive and supportive employment package, including:

  • Competitive salary with market supplement
  • Relocation assistance of up to £10,000
  • Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  • Protected time and funding for professional development
  • Clear leadership and career progression pathways
  • 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days
  • Flexible working options including flexi-time, job share, part-time and hybrid working (where appropriate)
  • Employee Assistance Programme providing 24/7 wellbeing support
  • Payment of professional registration fees
  • Access to a wide range of lifestyle, retail, health and leisure benefits

Working in Herefordshire

Herefordshire is a largely rural county on the Welsh border, known for its strong communities, market towns, and outstanding natural environment. Our children’s services are on a positive improvement journey, supported by our partnership with Leeds City Council and a strong relational practice model rooted in collaboration and reflection.

This is an exciting moment to join a leadership team that is ambitious, supportive, and committed to doing the right thing for children.

Inclusion, Safeguarding and Commitments

Herefordshire Council is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We actively support:

  • The Disability Confident scheme
  • The Armed Forces Covenant (Veterans and Reservists)
  • Care leavers from Herefordshire
  • Appointment to this role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and other pre-employment checks.
  • Please note: the Council is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Children’s Social Work roles.

National and Government Frameworks

This role operates within key statutory and regulatory frameworks, including:

Ofsted – Children’s services inspection framework: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service

Equality Act 2010 guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

How to Apply

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and complete the application form, clearly demonstrating how your experience meets the requirements of the role profile.

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