Improvement Lead – Children’s Services

Baltimore Consulting; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 83,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore Consulting is seeking an experienced Improvement Lead for a 3-month contract with immediate start. Hybrid working, £450-£500 per day, Inside IR35 via Umbrella.

The role focuses on driving improvements in safeguarding practice, performance and outcomes for children and families. You will lead service improvement programmes, oversee QA frameworks, strengthen multi-agency partnerships, and champion Motivational Interviewing while coaching managers and frontline staff.

Qualifications

• Qualified and registered Social Worker.
• Experience leading service improvement in Children’s Services.
• Knowledge of Children’s Social Care legislation & multi-agency working.
• Experience at Team Manager level or above.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical and change management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead service improvement programmes that deliver measurable improvements.
• Provide oversight of safeguarding, auditing, quality assurance and performance management.
• Strengthen multi-agency partnerships across Health, Education, Early Help and Police services.
• Champion Motivational Interviewing and strengths-based practice.
• Deliver coaching, mentoring and professional development to managers and practitioners.

Skills

Service improvement

Safeguarding QA

Multi-agency partnership

Motivational Interviewing

Coaching & mentoring

Education

Registered Social Worker (UK)

Job description

Improvement Lead

3-Month Contract | Immediate Start
£450-£500 per day
Inside IR35 (via Umbrella)
Hybrid Working

CVs are being reviewed immediately and interviews will be taking place shortly.

Looking for your next interim challenge where you can make a lasting impact?

As an Improvement Lead, you will play a pivotal role in driving positive change across Children's Services, working alongside senior leaders, managers and frontline teams to deliver meaningful improvements in safeguarding practice, performance and outcomes for children and families.

This is a highly visible assignment where your expertise will help shape service delivery, embed best practice and support long-term improvement. If you’re an experienced Improvement Lead with a passion for transformation, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Your Role as Improvement Lead:

• Lead service improvement programmes that deliver measurable improvements in practice, quality and outcomes for children and young people.
• Provide oversight of safeguarding, auditing, quality assurance and performance management frameworks.
• Strengthen multi-agency partnerships across Health, Education, Early Help and Police services to improve support for families.
• Champion Motivational Interviewing and strengths-based practice across Children's Services.
• Deliver coaching, mentoring and professional development to managers and practitioners, supporting workforce development and retention.

Your Previous Experience as an Improvement Lead:

• Qualified and registered Social Worker with extensive experience within UK statutory Children's Services.
• Demonstrable success leading service improvement, practice development and performance improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of Children's Social Care legislation, safeguarding practice and multi-agency working.
• Experience operating at Team Manager level or above, influencing senior stakeholders and leading change.
• Excellent leadership, communication, analytical and change management skills.

This Improvement Lead assignment offers the opportunity to join an organisation committed to improvement and delivering better outcomes for children and families.

With a strong likelihood of extension, this role will suit an accomplished Improvement Lead who can quickly assess challenges, engage stakeholders and implement sustainable solutions. If you’re an experienced Improvement Lead ready for your next contract, we’d love to hear from you.

Our clients are passionate about creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant. Recruiting decisions are based on your experience and skills. Any reasonable adjustments in the workplace will be fully supported during the application and hiring process.

Due to the fast-paced nature of interim recruitment, applications are reviewed as received and client requirements may change during the recruitment process.

Whilst we endeavour to review all applications, we may not be able to respond individually to every candidate.

Submission of an application, expression of interest or right to represent does not guarantee submission to a client, interview, placement, or engagement. Recruitment decisions ultimately remain subject to client requirements, availability, suitability, and selection processes.

Baltimore Consulting is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices, and all applications are considered based on the requirements of the role and the information available at the time of review.