Head of Improvement (Families First)

Baltimore Consulting; Patchway; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Senior referral scheme

Hybrid working

Job summary

Baltimore Consulting is seeking an experienced Head Of Service – Service Improvement to lead the Families First reforms within Children’s Services on a 6-month interim basis.

The role blends on-site and remote work with 2-3 days on site, requires senior leadership and programme governance. You will drive delivery, manage risks, and work with senior leaders to shape future service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience at Senior Manager level within local government or childrens services.
• Proven success leading large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes.
• Strong programme and project management capabilities with multiple priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of Families First reforms with governance, delivery plans and reporting.
• Design and embed a Quality Assurance Framework for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate workforce planning and transition activities for future operating models.
• Maintain oversight of transformation and improvement programmes across services.
• Provide high-quality programme management with risk registers, action logs, and milestones.

Skills

Senior leadership

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Transformation

Job description

Head Of Service – Service Improvement (Families First)
6 Month Interim Contract (anticipated)
Start Date: September 2026
£450/day
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
Hybrid Working 2-3 days on site

CVs are being reviewed immediately with interviews expected to take place at short notice.

Are you an experienced Head Of Service – Service Improvement with a track record of leading complex transformation programmes within Children’s Services? This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a high-profile Head Of Service – Service Improvement assignment where you will play a pivotal role in driving reform, embedding service improvement, and supporting organisational change at a critical stage of development.

As Head Of Service – Service Improvement, you will lead the implementation of key strategic priorities, ensuring programmes remain on track, risks are effectively managed, and positive outcomes are delivered for children, families and the workforce. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact while working alongside senior leaders to shape future service delivery.

Your Role as Head Of Service – Service Improvement

• Lead the implementation of Families First reforms, ensuring robust programme governance, delivery plans and reporting arrangements are in place.
• Design and embed a new Quality Assurance Framework, driving continuous improvement through performance, audit and feedback mechanisms.
• Coordinate workforce planning and transition activity, ensuring services are prepared for future operating models.
• Maintain oversight of wider transformation and improvement programmes, identifying dependencies and opportunities across services.
• Provide high-quality programme management, including risk registers, action logs, decision records and delivery milestones.

Your Experience as Head Of Service – Service Improvement

• Significant experience operating at Senior Manager level within local government or children’s services.
• Proven success leading large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes.
• Strong programme and project management expertise with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with experience influencing senior leaders and partners.
• Strong attention to detail with experience maintaining comprehensive programme documentation and governance processes.

This Head Of Service – Service Improvement opportunity will suit a proactive and solutions-focused leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys driving meaningful improvement. If you are looking for your next Head Of Service – Service Improvement assignment and want to play a key role in shaping reform and transformation, we would be keen to hear from you.

If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be interested, please contact Baltimore Consulting on 0117 313 7110.

(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation so please do get in contact.)

Our clients are passionate about creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant. Recruiting decisions are based on your experience and skills. Any reasonable adjustments in the workplace will be fully supported during the application and hiring process.

Due to the fast-paced nature of interim recruitment, applications are reviewed as received and client requirements may change during the recruitment process.

Whilst we endeavour to review all applications, we may not be able to respond individually to every candidate.
Submission of an application, expression of interest or right to represent does not guarantee submission to a client, interview, placement, or engagement. Recruitment decisions ultimately remain subject to client requirements, availability, suitability, and selection processes.
Baltimore Consulting is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices, and all applications are considered based on the requirements of the role and the information available at the time of review.