Head of Service - Children and Young People with Disabilities
Location: Barking and Dagenham, London
Salary: Competitive, with generous pension and relocation package
Benefits: Up to 30 days annual leave, investment in learning & development, commitment to staffwellbeing
Our client, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, is seeking an experienced and passionate Head of Service to lead their Children and Young People with Disabilities (CYPD) service. This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic leader to make a tangible difference in the lives of children, young people, families, and carers in one of London's most diverse and vibrant communities.
About the Role
The Head of Service will play a pivotal role in delivering excellence across the CYPD service. You will be responsible for both Early Help and Social Care provision, including a CYPD Family Hub, Short Breaks Team, Portage Team, and CYPD Social Work Team. This leadership role requires strategic vision, operational expertise, and a strong commitment to driving high-quality outcomes for children and families.
Key responsibilities include:
Leading, supporting, and developing multi-disciplinary teams to ensure high performance, consistency of practice, and timely outcomes for children and young people.
Managing Early Help, Short Breaks, Child in Need, Child Protection, and Looked After Children services, ensuring smooth transitions to adulthood in collaboration with Adult Social Care.
Driving service improvement and transformation in line with the Families First National Reform agenda.
Building strong partnerships across the SEND landscape, including with Parent Carer Forums, to enhance service provision.
Creating a supportive, reflective, and resilient work environment that nurtures staff and promotes a culture of excellence.
About You
The successful candidate will be:
A qualified social worker with current SWE registration.
An inspiring, innovative, and motivated leader who embraces relational, restorative, and strength-based practice in line with the CARES framework.
Experienced in managing teams, improving performance, holding risk, and driving professional standards.
Knowledgeable about the vulnerabilities and risks faced by disabled children and young people and committed to improving their experiences.
Special Requirements
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will undergo a comprehensive screening process, including an Enhanced Children's Disclosure and Barring Service check.
About the Employer
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is committed to putting the child's lived experience at the centre of all services. Their stable, visionary leadership team is dedicated to improving outcomes for the borough's most vulnerable children and young people. The council offers a competitive package, including:
Generous pension and relocation support
Up to 30 days annual leave
Investment in learning and professional development
Commitment to staff wellbeing
This is a rare opportunity to join a forward-thinking, supportive, and ambitious team, leading transformative services for children and families who need it most.
To Apply
If you are a passionate leader ready to make a real difference, we would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with you. Please contact Charlotte Newton at Tempest Resourcing for a confidential discussion. Full JD is available on request