Head of Quality and Improvement - Children's Services

Buckinghamshire Council; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Aylesbury is seeking a Head of Quality and Improvement for Children's Services. This high-profile role requires a leader with extensive experience in children's social care and proven service improvement skills. The candidate will drive quality assurance frameworks and oversee key children’s services. A degree or equivalent experience is necessary. The position offers competitive pay and a commitment to a flexible, inclusive work culture.

Benefits

Health and well-being initiatives

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a large public sector organisation, ideally local government.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• A relevant professional qualification in social care, education, health, or youth work is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for key functions.
• Drive the implementation of a robust Quality Assurance Framework.
• Oversee delivery of the Children’s Services Improvement Plan.
• Lead workforce development initiatives to nurture and retain talent.
• Embed the voice of children and families into service improvement.

Skills

Expert knowledge of children's social care

Strategic vision

Exceptional communication skills

Proven track record in service improvement

Ability to influence at all levels

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Job description

Head of Quality and Improvement - Children's Services

Location: Aylesbury

Salary up to £85,600 per annum

About us

Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected– only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.

We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

About the role

As Head of Quality and Improvement, you’ll provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for key functions including Independent Reviewing Officers, Principal Social Workers, Child Protection Advisors, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service, and Practice & Workforce Development. You’ll:

• Drive the implementation of a robust Quality Assurance Framework across Children’s Social Care.
• Oversee delivery of the Children’s Services Improvement Plan, ensuring actions from Ofsted ILACS findings translate into measurable impact.
• Lead workforce development initiatives, including the ASYE Academy, to nurture and retain talent.
• Embed the voice of children, young people, and families into service improvement.

This is a high-profile role requiring strong governance, programme management, and the ability to influence at all levels, including senior leaders and elected members.

About you

You’ll be an experienced leader with a proven track record in service improvement within a large public sector organisation, ideally local government. You bring:

• Expert knowledge of children’s social care, safeguarding legislation, and sector-wide challenges.
• Strategic vision and the ability to deliver complex improvement programmes.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with credibility in political and multi‑agency environments.
• A commitment to embedding a learning culture and driving high standards of practice.
• Degree‑level education (or equivalent experience) and evidence of continuous professional development.

A relevant professional qualification in social care, education, health, or youth work is desirable.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well‑being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like‑minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work‑life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements.