Head of Service – Safeguarding & Family Support
Southend-on-Sea
£600 per day (LTD)
Minimum 3 days on-site per week
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Service to join Southend-on-Sea, leading the Safeguarding & Family Support Service at a pivotal time of transformation.
This is a key leadership role where you will drive forward service improvement, shape practice, and deliver high-quality outcomes for children, young people, and families.
🔹 About the Role You will:
* Lead and modernise Children’s Social Care services, ensuring effective and high-quality delivery
* Oversee and performance manage 3 Service Managers across:
o CSPOC (formerly MASH+)
o Assessment & Intervention
o Family Support & Protection (Child Protection)
o Children with Disabilities (CWD)
* Provide strong strategic and operational leadership across safeguarding services
* Create a supportive, innovative, and transparent culture that promotes excellent practice
* Ensure effective use of resources while maintaining high standards of service delivery
🔹 Key Responsibilities
* Drive performance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across multiple service areas
* Lead, develop and support senior managers to achieve outstanding outcomes
* Contribute to and implement the Children’s Social Care annual service plan
* Align service delivery with local priorities and national policy/legislation
* Work collaboratively across the wider council and partner agencies
🔹 Transformation Opportunity Southend-on-Sea is launching a brand-new Families First service, going live in May.
As Head of Service, you will play a lead role in shaping and delivering this innovative model, ensuring early intervention, improved outcomes, and sustainable change for families.
🔹 About You
* Proven experience at Head of Service level within Children’s Social Care
* Strong background in safeguarding, child protection, and frontline services
* Experience managing multiple teams/services through senior managers
* Track record of driving service improvement and transformation
* Confident in leading through change in a complex, fast-paced environment
This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a high-impact leadership role and be at the forefront of meaningful service transformation.
Apply now or get in touch to discuss further.
Please email your CV to Delanie.Heyes@servicecare.org.uk or Call 01772 208964