Join Our Leadership Team as Head of Quality Assurance, Safeguarding and Audit
Location: County Hall, Preston, Lancashire
Directorate: Education and Children's Services, Children's Social Care
Salary: £77,883 - £85,119
About the Role:
Are you a leader with a passion for ensuring the highest standards in Children's Social Care? Lancashire County Council is seeking a dynamic Head of Quality Assurance, Inspection and Safeguarding to lead and shape our strategic approach to safeguarding, inspection readiness, and service improvement across Children’s Social Care.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Champion and sustain the Lancashire Family Safeguarding Model (LFSM), ensuring its continued impact and effectiveness.
2. Lead the coordination of quality assurance across Children's Services, including audit planning, execution, and reporting.
3. Drive preparation for inspections and peer reviews, contributing to the directorate’s self-assessment alongside senior leaders.
4. Manage Independent Reviewing Officers and provide professional oversight of key services including the Emergency Duty Team, LADO, Family Group Conferencing, SEND IAS, School Safeguarding, and Child Employment and Entertainment.
5. Supporting the delivery of the Families First programme.
6. Provide effective senior leadership and management of a diverse workforce, fostering a culture of continuous professional development.
7. Develop and implement strategic business plans aligned with the core purpose of Children’s Social Care.
What you will bring:
8. Proven leadership experience in children’s social care.
9. Strong strategic thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to influence at senior levels.
10. Experience in inspection preparation, quality assurance, and multi-agency working.
11. An ability to demonstrate the behaviours and capabilities of our leadership framework.
Please attach a word document, no longer than 2 A4 pages with the following:
12. a detailed account of your experience in leading a large Children's social care service.
13. a statement on why you are the right candidate for this role.
Longlisting w/c 17th November 2025
Interviews w/c 1st December 2025
For a confidential conversation with our Executive Director please contact: