Executive Director - Children’s Services

Redbridge London Borough Council; London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council in London is seeking an Executive Director for Children’s Services to join its leadership team. The successful candidate will guide pivotal initiatives for children's welfare, education, and community services, ensuring collaborative, high-quality support. If you are a seasoned leader with a passion for improving children's lives, this role offers a unique opportunity to drive positive change in a diverse community. This position demands strategic insight and a commitment to excellence.

Qualifications

• Extensive expertise in children’s services within local authorities.
• Strong track record of improvement and innovation.
• Understanding of national policy and inspection frameworks (Ofsted, CQC).

Responsibilities

• Lead Children’s Social Care, Safeguarding, and Education Services.
• Champion a whole-system approach to support and improve outcomes.
• Shape corporate strategy and drive transformation across the council.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Courage and clarity

Compassion

Education

Experience at Director or Assistant Director level

Job description

Executive Director – Children’s Services
London Borough of Redbridge Council
Salary: Competitive

Help shape the future of Redbridge’s children, families, and communities.

Redbridge is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs. With a rapidly growing population, award-winning schools, green open spaces, and strong transport links to Central London.

We’re looking for an outstanding strategic leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Executive Director – Children’s Services, where you will also hold the statutory role of Director of Children’s Services (DCS). This is a pivotal position with a borough-wide impact: leading our work to give every child the best possible start in life, protect our most vulnerable young residents, and ensure our education, early help, SEND, and social care services are cohesive, ambitious, and focused on outcomes.

The Role

You will lead a broad portfolio that includes:

Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding Early Help and Family Support Youth Justice and Youth Services Education Services, including SEND You’ll champion a whole-system approach that delivers timely support and sustainable change balancing strong statutory practice with prevention and inclusion. This is an opportunity to transform lives through co-produced, place-based, and trauma-informed practice. You’ll work closely with schools, academies, health partners, and the voluntary and community sector to create services that are joined-up, equitable, and forward-thinking.

This is also a strategic corporate leadership role. As a member of our Executive Leadership Team, you’ll work across the council to shape corporate strategy, drive transformation, and support a high-performance, collaborative culture built on our values of Collaboration, Honesty, Excellence, and Fairness.

About you

We’re seeking an exceptional leader with deep expertise in children’s services, ideally gained at Director or Assistant Director level in a complex local authority. You’ll bring a strong track record of improvement and innovation, backed by a clear understanding of national policy and inspection frameworks (including Ofsted and CQC). More than this, we want someone who:

Is values-driven and passionate about achieving better outcomes for children and families. Builds strong, trusting relationships with diverse communities, elected members, and partners. Thrives in complex systems and leads with courage, clarity, and compassion. Understands how to lead culture change, deliver high-quality services, and foster staff development. You will be politically astute and confident in providing clear strategic advice to elected Members and colleagues, helping to shape the wider direction of the Council. Your leadership will embed a performance culture and ensure Redbridge continues to deliver safe, effective, and empowering services for its residents.

Join us and be part of a leadership team that is passionate about delivering for Redbridge’s communities.

To find out more or apply, visit https://redbridgenextlevel.co.uk/welcome/
For a confidential discussion, please contact our retained consultants at Penna:

Carol Coyle on 07500 887849 or email: [e-mail]

Amin Aziz on 07709 514141 or email: [e-mail]