Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us .
Deputy Head of Service SPA
At Achieving for Children, our mission to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people begins at the Single Point of Access (SPA) the vital front door to our Children’s Services.
SPA is a fast-paced, high-impact team responsible for receiving and screening all contacts and referrals. Working in close partnership with agencies such as the police, health services, housing, and education, we share information, assess safeguarding concerns, and make robust, timely decisions in line with MASH protocols and the AfC Joint and Pan-London Thresholds.
Whether signposting families, referring to early help, or escalating to statutory services, SPA ensures children and young people receive the right support at the right time. Our commitment to excellence was recently recognised by Ofsted, who rated our services as Outstanding a testament to the dedication, skill, and impact of our teams.
If you’re passionate about early intervention, multi-agency working, and being part of a high-performing, child-focused service, this is where you can make a real difference.
Operational area Kingston and Richmond Primary place of work Guildhall 2, Kingston upon Thames KT1 Appointment type Permanent Business area Children's Social Care Full time/Part time Full-time Salary from £54,627 (SCP42) Salary to £57,663 (SCP45) Hours 36 Estimated Interview date/s TBC Closing Date 08/08/2025 Ref No 2084 Documents
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About the role
The Deputy Head of Service plays a key role in the day-to-day leadership of the Single Point of Access (SPA). As a qualified and experienced social work manager, you’ll work closely with the SPA Service Manager to bridge strategic priorities with operational delivery ensuring the service runs smoothly and effectively.
You’ll be responsible for overseeing threshold and safeguarding decisions, handling escalations, and providing expert guidance across the team. In the absence of the SPA Service Manager, you’ll take the lead making final decisions and responding to complex queries and complaints. You’ll also directly supervise the SPA Team Leaders, supporting high-quality practice and consistent decision-making.
For an informal conversation please reach out to Dan clark at,
About you
We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced manager who thrives in high-pressure environments and is confident in leading complex decision-making. You’ll be comfortable supervising social workers and managers, ensuring sound, consistent application of thresholds and safeguarding practice every day.
You’ll bring:
2. A degree-level qualification and professional qualification in Social Work
3. Active Social Work England registration with a strong commitment to ongoing professional development
4. Proven experience in leading teams, including line management, performance oversight, and change management
5. A solid understanding of how to apply research, theory, and evidence-informed practice in real-world settings
6. Confidence in building and sustaining strong partnerships, and co-producing solutions with a wide range of stakeholders - including children, young people, and families
7. A strong advocate for the voice of the child, ensuring lived experiences inform every decision
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
8. 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
9. Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
10. Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
11. Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
12. A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
13. A range of staff benefits and discounts
14. An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children. For our social work offer. For our Recruitment Journey,
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.