Head of Safeguarding, Quality & Practice

One of our local authority clients are currently recruiting for a Head of Safeguarding, Quality & Practice. This is a temporary contract for 2 months with possible further extension based on budget and performance.

Main Purpose of Post/Job Summary

The post holder will be reporting to the Strategic Director for Children and will have responsibility for the effective and efficient operation and delivery of a function or cluster of services which have a direct impact on partnership working, quality assurance, performance, learning and workforce, and wider supportive and complimentary services including voice and participation, therapeutic support and FGC.

The post holder will have responsibility for delivering high level advice and guidance which significantly influences, either directly or indirectly, the trust and confidence of internal colleagues, the external partnership, workforce and Council. This will involve the strategic planning, review, design and transformation of services to deliver sustainable and safe outcomes for children. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that systems are in place to know ourselves well, respond to new innovative ways of working, and support our most asset, our workforce.

The post holder will also champion and drive the quality of social work practice across Children and Young People’s Services, working with services, workforce development and other internal and external partners to ensure the continued improvement in services, supporting innovation and good practice.

Duties and Responsibilities

* Delivery of high level advice, guidance and support in a specialist area which significantly influences, either directly or indirectly, the trust and confidence of the community and/or the Council.

* Production of whole Council strategies which support the internal management of the Council.

* Develop a customer-focused service that is responsive and flexible with regard to a variety of internal customer needs and delivered to a high standard.

* Identify clear objectives for service delivery, including management of risk, and develop and performance manage relevant action plans to ensure effective and efficient implementation.

* Lead and develop a range of specialist professionals (including officers at PO16/18) and associated service support activity.

* Assess political pressures and agendas on service delivery and tailor plans/activity accordingly whilst ensuring appropriate challenge is made and governance is adhered to.

* Pursue best practice and value for money within the Service through the establishment of effective systems of governance and accountability, target setting, performance management and procurement.

* Plan, initiate, manage and implement major change initiatives in service delivery which may have a significant impact on either customers, employees or systems ensuring effective risk management and review of subsequent outcomes.

* Develop and foster effective relationships with external stakeholders, partners and agencies, representing and promoting the Borough’s interests with these groups.

* Ensure sufficient resources are available to deliver service priorities through effective workforce planning including recruitment and selection, retention, talent management and succession planning.

The above is a brief overview of the role, details and specification will be provided should you be successful. If interested in this position, please send your CV to Jahker Miah at Coyle Personnel Ltd