Head of Safeguarding

CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD; England; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Head of Safeguarding to provide strategic leadership within Adult Wellbeing and Health Partnerships. The successful candidate will oversee compliance with safeguarding practices and regulations, manage key partnerships, and lead significant service transformation. This full-time role requires extensive experience in Adult Safeguarding, influencing senior stakeholders, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. The closing date for applications is December 31, 2025.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience within Adult Safeguarding or Adult Social Care.
• Expert knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and statutory guidance.
• Proven experience working with Safeguarding Adults Boards and multi‑agency partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice on Adult Safeguarding.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
• Lead safeguarding quality assurance frameworks across providers.
• Work in partnership to deliver integrated safeguarding responses.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in Adult Safeguarding

Knowledge of safeguarding legislation

Experience with Safeguarding Adults Boards

Understanding of commissioning contract monitoring

Experience in service transformation

Ability to manage safeguarding risk

Management of multidisciplinary teams

Analytical skills with performance data

Ability to influence at senior level

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Confident communication

Job description

Job Summary

The Head of Safeguarding is a senior strategic leadership role within Adults Wellbeing and Health Partnerships at Surrey County Council. The postholder will act as the Council’s lead expert for Adult Safeguarding, providing professional leadership, strategic direction and assurance that safeguarding practice across Adult Social Care is fully compliant with statutory duties, national guidance and best practice.

Key Duties / Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice on Adult Safeguarding across Surrey County Council.
• Ensure full compliance with safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the strategic lead for safeguarding quality assurance frameworks across commissioned adult social care providers.
• Work in partnership with health, police, voluntary sector and other statutory agencies to deliver integrated safeguarding responses.
• Lead and contribute to the Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) including chairing sub-groups and supporting delivery of the strategic plan.
• Identify safeguarding risks, weak practice and performance issues and implement improvement strategies.
• Lead safeguarding performance management data analysis and benchmarking against regional and national comparators.
• Maintain and oversee safeguarding risk registers and escalation protocols.
• Provide professional leadership to managers and staff developing safeguarding capability and standards of practice.
• Lead major programmes reviews and transformational change initiatives.
• Embed learning from safeguarding reviews into commissioning cycles and contract monitoring.
• Champion co-production and lived experience in safeguarding design and delivery.
• Promote equity, inclusion and culturally competent safeguarding practice.
• Represent the Council in internal and external safeguarding forums and partnerships.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and accountability.

Skills / Experience

• Extensive senior leadership experience within Adult Safeguarding or Adult Social Care.
• Expert knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and statutory guidance.
• Proven experience working with Safeguarding Adults Boards and multi‑agency partnerships.
• Strong understanding of commissioning contract monitoring and provider quality assurance.
• Experience leading service transformation and large‑scale change programmes.
• Demonstrable ability to manage complex safeguarding risk and serious incidents.
• Experience managing large multidisciplinary teams and senior managers.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using performance data and quality metrics.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and provide professional challenge at senior level.
• Experience embedding learning from safeguarding reviews into operational practice.
• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion and co‑production.
• Confident communicator with experience presenting to boards and senior stakeholders.

Additional Information

Closing date: 31 / 12 / 2025.

Location: Surrey.

Employment Type: Full Time.