Head of Service - Assessment & Intervention

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Head of Service – Assessment & Intervention. You will lead teams providing assessments and support for children, oversee the Disabled Children’s Service, and ensure a strong safeguarding culture. The role requires substantial experience in child protection and leadership, with a commitment to innovation and inclusion.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive environment

Opportunity to shape children's services

Qualifications

• Current Social Work England registration.
• Substantial experience in children's social care.
• Excellent people leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessments and interventions for children and young people.
• Oversee the Disabled Children’s Service.
• Champion partnership working across the organisation.
• Ensure corporate ownership of safeguarding.

Skills

Professional Social Work qualification

Frontline child protection experience

Senior leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Change management skills

Diversity and inclusion commitment

Financial acumen

Solutions-focused approach

Ability to challenge appropriately

Best practice championing

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Overview

Join a creative, forward-thinking senior leadership team within Children and Families at Kirklees Council. We are committed to securing the very best outcomes for children and their families. Ofsted recognised our energy and dynamism in their 2024 inspection, and we continue to make ongoing improvements. We are seeking a highly motivated and determined Head of Service to help us deliver our ambitious plans.

This permanent role is available due to an existing Head of Service retirement in 2027. We are keen to maximise our leadership capacity as we implement and embed the principles of the Families First Partnership Programme and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead teams providing timely assessments and interventions for children and young people
• Oversee the Disabled Children’s Service
• Champion partnership working across the Council and with external agencies
• Support a culture of transparency, learning, and continuous improvement
• Ensure corporate ownership of safeguarding and develop a skilled workforce
• Use national best practice and local performance data to drive service improvement
• Manage concerns about practice and quality of care
• Monitor and manage service delivery within budgets and improvement targets
• Deliver earlier support through multi-agency teams, prioritising keeping children with their families wherever it is safe to do so

Note: While the current portfolio includes Assessment & Intervention and Children with a Disability Service, changes may occur as we develop our Families First programme and future service delivery in Kirklees.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

• Professional Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration
• Substantial experience in frontline child protection and children’s social care
• Significant senior leadership experience
• Excellent people leadership, stakeholder management, and change management skills
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding
• Financial acumen and a flexible, solutions-focused approach
• Ability to challenge appropriately and champion best practice

Why Kirklees?

Kirklees is a place of ambition and opportunity. As Head of Service – Assessment & Intervention, you’ll join a leadership team that values innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference in the lives of children and young people. We offer a supportive environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to shape the future of children’s services in our borough.

Ready to lead the future of assessment and intervention in Kirklees?

Apply now to become our next Head of Service – Assessment & Intervention and help shape a safer, more inclusive community.

Interview Schedule

First round: Week commencing 8th December 2025
Final round: Week commencing 5th January 2026

Vicky Metheringham is the manager for this role; please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.

To apply please Apply Now link below.