Head of Service CIC #110458

Semester.co.uk; Runcorn; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a passionate leader to enhance services for Children in Care and Care Leavers. This critical role involves overseeing care planning, managing residential services, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Social Work, SWE registration, and significant management experience. You'll be instrumental in driving service improvements and supporting teams to deliver high-quality care. Join a supportive environment with excellent transport links and a commitment to ongoing training, making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people.

Benefits

Free ongoing training opportunities

Competitive pay rates

In-house payroll with weekly payments

Enhanced DBS completed

Support from a dedicated team

Assigned experienced consultant

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker with SWE registration and management experience.
• Proven leadership in local authority settings with a focus on child protection.

Responsibilities

• Oversee care planning and support for Children in Care and Care Leavers.
• Lead recruitment and assessment of foster carers and adopters.

Skills

Leadership

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Decision-Making

Strategic Planning

Performance Management

Education

Degree in Social Work

SWE Registration

Job description

Please be aware this is a Long Term Temporary post to start ASAP.

The following is essential criteria:

1. Degree in Social Work
2. SWE Registration
3. Right to work within the UK

Halton Borough Council is looking for a passionate and experienced leader to drive excellence in services for Children in Care and Care Leavers. This is a key senior role, responsible for ensuring high-quality support, safeguarding, and improved outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Children in Care & Care Leavers: Oversee care planning, permanency arrangements, and transitions into adulthood, ensuring children and young people receive the support they need.
2. Fostering & Adoption: Lead recruitment, assessment, and support of foster carers and adopters, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practice.
3. Residential Services: Manage the council’s residential children’s home, ensuring high standards of care and regulatory compliance.
4. Performance & Quality Assurance: Develop and implement service improvement plans in line with Ofsted requirements, using data and audits to drive continuous improvement.
5. Leadership & Workforce Development: Provide strong and visible leadership, supporting and developing teams to maintain high professional standards and effective service delivery.
6. Budget & Resource Management: Ensure effective financial oversight and efficient use of resources, securing external funding where possible.

About You:

1. Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration and significant management experience in children’s services.
2. Proven leadership in local authority or similar settings, with a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities and best practice in child protection, fostering, adoption, and care leaver support.
3. Skilled in strategic planning, performance management, and quality assurance.
4. Strong partnership working experience, including collaboration with agencies, courts, and safeguarding boards.
5. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams.

What’s on offer for the Social Worker:

• Excellent competitive pay rate – paid weekly!
• Excellent management structure with experienced leaders
• Desirable location with excellent transport links
• A stable and well-supported working environment

Benefits of working with Semester.co.uk:

• Free on-going training opportunities upon registering as part of our commitment to you.
• Competitive Rates of pay
• In house payroll, providing weekly payments and support
• Enhanced DBS completed.
• Support and expert advice from an approachable, dedicated and friendly team
• An assigned dedicated & experienced consultant
• Various employment opportunities in your preferred geographical area

**If you would like to find out more information about this role, or the other opportunities Semester.co.uk have available feel free to click the ‘Apply’ button**