Lead with Purpose. Inspire Practice. Make a Difference.
Are you passionate about driving excellence in children’s services?
If yes, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
We are seeking an experienced Head of Service for Quality Assurance and Workforce Development to provide strong leadership and strategic direction across Children’s and Adults’ Services within the Council and our multi-agency partnerships.
About the Role:
This key role leads quality assurance and workforce development across Southwark’s Children’s Services, ensuring we meet all statutory duties and inspection requirements. You will:
Working with a range of partners and stakeholders, you will be a vocal advocate for children, young people and their families ensuring every child gets the best start in life.
You will directly line manage service managers and oversee all quality assurance activities across children’s services including audits, learning functions, inspection readiness, and children’s rights and participation initiatives.
Southwark is a vibrant and diverse inner London borough with a strong record of innovation and delivery. While challenges remain, we also offer exciting opportunities to make a lasting impact.
About You:
To succeed in this role, you will be a qualified social worker and an experienced leader in children’s services, with:
You’ll be an inspiring and strategic leader with the vision, determination and drive to lead change in a fast paced and diverse borough.
Additional Information:
For full qualifications and requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification at the bottom of the advert.
Contact Details:
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Michael Crowe via email at Michael.Crowe@southwark.gov.uk
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.  Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
At Southwark Children’s Services, we pride ourselves on doing our vital job differently. Our systemic, holistic, family-centred approach sits at the core of our values. And our endlessly supportive, collective, culture underpins everything we do to protect vulnerable children across our borough.
Southwark is a great place to grow and develop as a social worker. We continue to provide fantastic career progression opportunities. Supported by great partnerships and resources we are always growing and developing what we do through innovation, investment in our workforce and, most importantly, listening to children and families, and those that work with them.
Our offer to staff includes:
competitive remuneration packages
the opportunity to work in a vibrant borough in the heart of London with excellent access to Central London and easy transport links to the South East
a multi-cultural and diverse working environment, which provides excellent opportunities for enhancing your skills
modern digital plan with technology to support flexible working arrangements
professional development and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities through an established and extensive learning and development plan and opportunities.
opportunities to train as a Practice Educator and develop experience with student
clinical practitioners attached to every team to support you as an individual and your work with children and families.
culture of innovation and a ‘can do’ approach to problem solving in Social Care
stable, supportive leadership; Southwark has a lower ratio of workers to managers than most local authorities
small teams with supportive managers and manageable caseload
travel season ticket loans, cycle scheme, essential user care parking permits and local government pension
family friendly, flexible and agile working, from home or on-site
wellbeing programme, HSF Health plan and eye care scheme, EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support, and access to subsidised HSF health plan