Head of Service - Children's Integrated Front Door

Staffordshire County Council; Stafford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire County Council seeks a strategic leader for the Integrated Front Door. This role focuses on ensuring compliance, operational oversight, and continuous improvement across partner services, aiming to prioritize children's welfare. The ideal candidate will hold a social work degree, demonstrate extensive experience in social care management, and possess strong leadership qualities.

Benefits

Access to rewards and benefits

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England (SWE).
• Diverse post-qualification practice experience in Children and Families.
• Experience managing social care services.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Front Door operations ensuring timely decision-making and safeguarding.
• Ensure compliance with child protection procedures and manage performance monitoring.
• Act as Partnership Decision Maker for local and regional panels.

Skills

Leadership

Partnership working

Negotiation

Influencing

Education

Social work degree

Job description

Our Children and Families services place children, young people, and their families at the heart of all we do. This exciting new role will provide clear strategic leadership for the Integrated Front Door, aligning service delivery with the council’s vision for children and families. The role involves championing a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement across all partner agencies operating within the model.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide operational oversight and professional leadership to ensure that the Front Door operates efficiently, with timely decision-making, effective triage, and appropriate safeguarding responses.
• Maintain a focus on impact, ensuring interventions are proportionate, evidence-informed, and child-centred.
• Act as Partnership Decision Maker, ensuring decisions comply with legislation, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure full compliance with Staffordshire’s child protection procedures and standards.
• Identify and escalate barriers to compliance or improvement to Staffordshire’s Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (SSCP), maintaining accountability and excellence in safeguarding practice.
• Ensure effective performance monitoring, risk management, and capacity planning across services.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of service plans, policies, and frameworks aligned with legislation and strategic priorities.
• Interpret and apply national policy guidance to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Contribute to the SSCP, serving as the strategic lead on local and regional panels and working groups to enhance collaboration and safeguarding outcomes.

The Ideal Candidate

• Holds a social work degree and is registered with Social Work England (SWE).
• Has diverse post-qualification practice experience in Children and Families and substantial experience managing social care services.
• Demonstrates proven leadership with in-depth knowledge of social care operations and partnership working.
• Possesses negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively across stakeholders.

Interviews, including a stakeholder panel, will be held during the week commencing 4th August. If you don’t meet all requirements, we value transferable skills and encourage you to apply or contact Bev Davis at [e-mail] for an informal chat.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are committed to our values, community spirit, and a supportive working environment. Our benefits include access to rewards and benefits, and we are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, offering a guaranteed interview for those who meet minimum criteria.

This position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service, and applicants should disclose relevant criminal history information.