Drive the very best outcomes for our Children in Care
Are you an experienced leader in children’s social care, passionate about driving excellent in residential care provision and delivering the best outcomes for young people?
Royal Greenwich is looking for a Service Leader to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of our Children’s Homes and Staying Close Pod – ensuring every child receives high-quality care and support through their journey into adulthood.
This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape and develop innovative, locally-led services that provide stability, safety and nurturing environments for children in care and care leavers.
As the Service Leader, you will act as the Responsible individual, ensuring our homes meet all regulatory and Ofsted requirements and contribute to the council’s Sufficiency Strategy.
About the Role
Reporting to the Strategic Lead for Children in Care and Care Leavers, you will lead and manage our Children’s Homes and Staying Close Pod, providing expert support and supervision to Registered Managers. You will ensure that services are safe, effective, and responsive to the needs of children and young people. You’ll also work strategically with colleagues across Commissioning, Children in Care and Care Leaver services to support timely transitions and reduce reliance on out-of-borough or emergency placements.
What We’re Looking For
You will be a confident and resilient leader with a proven track record in managing residential or children’s care services. You will combine strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks with the ability to lead complex services and drive cultural and practice change.
We are looking for:
A genuine commitment to participation, ensuring that the voices of children and young people shape the services they receive.
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is a vibrant area of Southeast London with a rich history and diverse culture. The town of Greenwich itself is a UNESCO world heritage site that is home to the Prime Meridian Line, Royal Observatory, and the Cutty Sark ship. In 2012, the borough was named as the first new Royal Borough for more than 80 years. We are looking to recruit social workers, who are registered with Social Work England, to join our stable and committed Children’s Services workforce. Discover more in our video below.
With excellent training and great benefits, Royal Greenwich is the ideal place to progress your social worker career. Our generous benefits package includes:
A senior leadership team who take time to know front-line staff, listen to their views and celebrate excellent work.
Small teams allowing more direct support and supervision time from your Team Leader
An innovative and aspirational Practice Academy dedicated to providing creative learning solutions and a comprehensive offer to support you to achieve your career ambitions including bursaries to undertake systemic training
Access to Research in Practice website, training and resources and new initiatives
Rota Days equating (FTE) to an additional 10 days off per year
Travel costs worth £1k+, OR essential car user car parking (close to the workplace).
Royal Greenwich Keyworker housing (after being employed for six months, subject to application and meeting criteria).
Excellent pension scheme (LGPS).
Cycle to Work Scheme.
Childcare vouchers.
Greenwich One Card gives you access to a wide range of discounts on products and services at participating local businesses, shops, cafes and restaurants. Discounted gym membership.
Opportunities to join cross-sectional staff Task and Finish groups to improve practice and procedures.
We have an ongoing commitment to supporting staff and ensuring equality and diversity in the workplace.
Staff networks and forums to support and encourage networking between staff with shared interests.
Make a difference to our children’s futures, your future and ours.