Head of Service for Quality Assurance

Bedford Borough Council; Bedford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedford Borough Council is seeking a Head of Service for Quality Assurance to lead safeguarding and improvement across Children’s Services and partners. You will shape practice, drive performance, and coordinate IROs, Child Protection Chairs and LADO within the evolving Families First framework.

The role requires an experienced, registered social work leader with a proven ability to lead through change and foster a culture of learning and accountability at the highest levels.

Qualifications

• Experienced registered social work leader with a track record in quality assurance.
• Proven experience in service improvement and partnership working.
• Ability to lead through large-scale organisational change.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance, performance improvement, IROs and Child Protection Chairs.
• Oversee LADO and improvement delivery services to embed high standards.
• Act as Prevent Lead for the local authority and drive Families First reform.
• Provide strategic leadership and drive a culture of learning and accountability.
• Report to the Executive Director for Children, Education & Families and influence change.

Skills

Quality assurance

Service improvement

Partnership working

Leadership

Education

Registered social worker

Job description

This is a career-defining opportunity to lead improvement, influence strategy and help shape the future of children's services in Bedford.
As our Head of Service for Quality Assurance, you'll play a critical role in delivering the national Family First reforms, working across Children's Services and partner agencies to strengthen safeguarding, improve practice and deliver better outcomes for children and families. You'll lead quality assurance, performance improvement, IROs, Child Protection Chairs, LADO and improvement delivery services, ensuring high standards are embedded across the organisation. You will be the Prevent Lead for the local authority. Reporting directly to the Executive Director for Children, Education & Families, you'll be at the heart of our post-Ofsted improvement journey, providing strategic leadership, driving a culture of learning and accountability, and influencing change at the highest levels.
As we move to the Families First model there will be substantial change to the service and successful candidates will need to be able to to lead through these time adapting to a changing portfolio.
We're looking for an experienced, registered social work leader with a strong track record of quality assurance, service improvement and partnership working.
If you're passionate about improving children's lives and ready to lead meaningful change, we'd like to hear from you.
Closing date: 15th September 2026
Interview date: week commencing 21st September 2026.This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If your application is successful you will be required to declare any spent and unspent convictions, adult cautions (simple or conditional) that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).
Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant, we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer.
Bedford Borough Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.