Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services)
Salary: £75,981 - £86,069
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid (with regular presence in Gateshead)
About Us
At Gateshead, we believe that "the strength of Gateshead is the people of Gateshead." Everything we do is driven by our commitment to helping children, young people and families thrive. Our Children's Services are rated 'Good' by Ofsted, and we are ambitious about striving for excellence as we continue to strengthen practice, culture and outcomes.
Our vision is simple: every child should enjoy their childhood and have the opportunity to flourish. Our workforce are passionate, values driven and united behind our Thrive agenda, ensuring families remain at the heart of everything we do. As part of our refreshed senior leadership team, you'll join a collaborative, forward thinking environment where innovation, learning and improvement are not only encouraged but expected.
The Opportunity
This is a newly created and pivotal strategic leadership role at the centre of our improvement and innovation journey.
As Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services) - one of three Heads of Function within the service - you will shape, drive and oversee our approach to quality assurance, performance, practice development and specialist services across early help, family help, social work and wider children's services.
You will provide leadership across key statutory and system functions, including:
* Quality assurance and performance frameworks
* Inspection preparation and ongoing regulatory readiness
* Independent Reviewing Service and LADO
* Practice Development, Improvement and Innovation
* Workforce planning and workforce development, learning and the Social Work Academy
* Children's participation and engagement
* Domestic abuse and specialist service delivery
* Partnerships and contributing to multi agency safeguarding arrangements
You will contribute to continued strengthening of an environment in which our practitioners and managers feel supported, valued and equipped to deliver high quality relational; practice in order to improve outcomes for children. You will play a key role in shaping our Families First transformation programme; support the evaluation of our test and learn team, enabling us to understand "what good looks like" using insight, evidence and learning to shape our future practice model as we move forward with wider social care reforms.
You will work closely with our newly appointed Service Director and senior leaders across the system to embed a strong culture of continuous learning, relational practice and high expectations. Your leadership will ensure that children's voices and lived experience remain central to service development, decision making and improvement.
What You'll Bring
We're looking for an inspirational and values led leader who can inspire confidence, drive improvement and influence practice at every level.
You will bring:
* A professional social work qualification and Social Work England registration
* Significant senior leadership experience in children's social care/early help
* A strong track record in quality assurance, service improvement and regulatory readiness
* Deep knowledge of safeguarding legislation, social work theory and national policy
* Experience leading multi agency partnerships and complex portfolio areas
* The ability to analyse complex information and provide clear strategic insight
* A collaborative, curious and influential leadership style
* Commitment to relational, strengths based and trauma informed practice
Above all, you will be passionate about improving outcomes for children and ensuring their voices shape practice, culture and decision making.
Contact and Apply
If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity please visit our dedicated campaign site: Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services) - Gateshead Council
For an informal confidential discussion, please contact our recruitment partners - The Resourcing Solution:
Charlotte Wilkinson on or email
Penny Keatings on or email
Key Dates
Closing date: Sunday 15th March 2026 (midnight)
Longlisting: Wednesday 18th March 2026
Assessment Event: Friday 27th March 2026 (in person - Gateshead)