Head of Safeguarding (Children & Families)

Hertfordshire County Council; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council seeks a Head of Safeguarding for Children & Families to lead innovatively in safeguarding practices. This pivotal role involves driving forward safeguarding strategies, enhancing social work standards, and leading an exceptional team while collaborating with various partners. A qualified Social Worker, you will formalize inclusive strategies and implement substantial reforms to improve outcomes for children and families in the county.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in leading statutory Children’s Social Care Services.
• Proven ability to drive effective social work interventions.
• Experience in multi-agency and partnership working.

Responsibilities

• Lead social work practices delivering high-quality safeguarding.
• Develop proposals for Multi-Agency Child Protection teams.
• Shape and deliver social care workforce strategy.

Skills

Collaborative Approach

Empathy

Leadership

Solution-focused

Inclusive Practices

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

Head of Safeguarding (Children & Families)

Job Number: HCC27933

Location: Stevenage

Salary Range: £81,803 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time

Inspire Change. Lead with Purpose. Transform Lives.

At Hertfordshire County Council, we don’t just deliver services - we lead innovation and work together as one HCC to make a difference to the lives of our residents. As the birthplace of the nationally recognised Family Safeguarding Model and alongside our strong Families First early help offer, we are proud to be at the forefront of the national children’s social care reforms. Our commitment to children and families and excellent social work practice is unwavering, and we are now seeking a visionary and compassionate leader to join us as Head of Service for our future Family Safeguarding and Family Help services.

About the role

This is a pivotal leadership role with a clear mission: to support, develop and drive forward our Family Safeguarding and Family Help practice in the county, working in close collaboration with your Head of Service colleagues in the Children & Families leadership team, our amazing workforce, senior leaders across the Council, and our valued partners across Hertfordshire.

You will lead with heart and purpose, ensuring that our future multi-disciplinary teams continue to deliver high-quality, relationship-based Family Safeguarding practice that empowers families and protects children. As part of the national safeguarding reforms, we are currently developing proposals with our workforce and partners to expand our Family Safeguarding practice into the new Multi-Agency Child Protection and Family Help teams. Your operational knowledge and experience will be vital in supporting the workforce and maintaining excellent outcomes for children and their families through this transformation.

You will also provide senior leadership in shaping and delivering our social care workforce strategy—championing the development of new social works and retention of experienced and global majority social workers, fostering a culture of inclusion, growth, and professional excellence.

What you’ll bring:

• A deep understanding of the Family Safeguarding model and practice and its impact on improving outcomes for children and families

• Proven ability to lead and drive effective social work interventions that manage risk, achieve sustained change and enable more children to remain safely within their families

• A collaborative, solution-focussed and forward-thinking approach to teamwork, multi-agency working and co-production

• A passion for nurturing our dedicated and skilled workforce, developing talent and leading with empathy, clarity, and ambition

• A commitment to promoting and developing inclusive practices that recognise diversity, tackle discrimination and address disadvantage for our residents and our staff

About you

Essential:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

• Full UK Driving Licence and regular access to a vehicle

• Substantial experience of leading statutory Children’s Social Care Services

• Understanding of the Family Safeguarding Model and practice and the national social care reform requirements

• Experience of multi-agency and partnership working

• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop the workforce

• Proven ability to drive safe and effective social work interventions for children and families that lead to sustained change and positive outcomes

• Proven experience of strengthening inclusive practice and tackling discrimination and the impact of this

Desirable:

• Experience and skills as a Head of Service in statutory Children’s Social Care Services

• Experience and knowledge of working in a large, complex and political organisation

• Experience and skills in leading workforce strategy and achieving a stable and skilled workforce

• Experience and skills in leading and supporting implementation of service-wide change

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

To hear more about this opportunity please contact El Mayhew ([e-mail]) for an informal discussion about the role.

Closing date: 29 June 2025.