Overview
Director of Children’s Services, hireful — Guardian Jobs. Location: Much Hadham, Hertfordshire. Salary: £104,000 per annum. Contract: Full time | Permanent. Reports to the Chief Executive and holds accountability for strategic leadership and operational excellence of children’s residential care and health services. The role is part of an exciting new chapter of development and growth for a charity that provides an integrated offer of education, residential care, therapies, and health services on a single campus.
The Charity’s 60-acre site in Much Hadham includes a school, FE college, seven Ofsted-registered children’s homes, adult supported living, and a CQC-registered health agency, supporting around 180 children and young people with complex needs to live life to the full.
The opportunity is to join the Executive Team as a visionary Director of Children’s Services and contribute to shaping the future of the organisation’s children’s services.
Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership across seven Ofsted-registered children’s homes, ensuring safe, high-quality, and person-centred care.
* Lead the CQC-registered Health Agency (nursing, therapies, psychology and clinical services), driving integration and innovation to improve outcomes for children.
* Shape and deliver the long-term vision for children’s services in line with organisational strategy and values.
* Ensure regulatory excellence, building strong, transparent relationships with Ofsted, CQC, commissioners and external partners.
* Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead at Executive level, embedding a culture of vigilance, safety and empowerment across all children’s services.
* Oversee the admissions pipeline, collaborating with local authorities and families to meet demand and future need.
* Drive service improvement and transformation guided by best practice, evidence and the voices of children, families and staff.
* Inspire, support and develop a multi-disciplinary workforce of over 200 colleagues, ensuring they are equipped, motivated and valued.
About You
You will bring a track record of senior leadership in children’s residential care, health, or social care services, with a strong grasp of regulatory frameworks and quality improvement. Specifically, you will have:
* Significant leadership experience in Ofsted-regulated children’s provision, with demonstrable impact on outcomes and quality.
* A deep understanding of safeguarding legislation and experience of acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
* The ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across care, health, and therapies, and to work in partnership with education colleagues.
* Strong skills in strategic planning, service design, and transformation, with evidence of successful innovation.
* Exceptional communication skills, enabling you to inspire teams, build trust with families, and influence commissioners and regulators.
Desirable
* Experience of CQC-regulated health or therapy services.
* Familiarity with commissioning, contracting, and funding models.
* A professional qualification in social care, health, education or related discipline.
What They Offer
* Salary: £104,000 per annum plus £5,000 welcome bonus (T&Cs apply)
* Annual leave: 30 days plus service-related increases
* Healthcare: Bupa private medical cover
* Pension: Generous contributory scheme
* Wellbeing: Employee assistance, free parking, subsidised meals, and a beautiful countryside campus
* Development: A culture that invests in leadership, professional growth, and continuous learning
* The opportunity to shape one of the UK’s most distinctive models of integrated education, care and health provision
This is an on-site role based in Much Hadham. Driving licence and access to transport are essential due to the rural location.
Apply Now. This is more than a job — it’s a chance to shape lives, influence practice nationally, and leave a lasting legacy. If you are ready to lead with vision, compassion, and impact, they would love to hear from you. For a confidential conversation, please contact them.
Lead with vision. Transform with care. Join them and help children live life to the full.
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