Head of Family Safeguarding & Localities - Ref: CH10324 (Fixed Term for 12 Months)
Grade: G15; Salary Range: £71,983 - £86,121
In Walsall we have a continuous focus on improvement to ensure we can achieve our Walsall Right For Children (WR4C) aspiration that Every Child and Family in Walsall is understood, feels happy and safe, with a strong sense of belonging enabling them to learn, achieve, and succeed.
Through building strong foundations and focused priorities we have successfully improved our processes, practice and partnerships across the borough to secure improved outcomes for children and families. The continuous improvements made through the WR4C programme has been acknowledged through a number of recent inspections.
About the Role
We are looking for an exceptional individual to be Walsall’s Children’s Services Locality Family Safeguarding Service:
1. Develop and lead on the Wave 2 Pathfinder: develop and deliver local and national reform as part of the Families First For Children programme.
2. Lead and Develop the Locality Family Safeguarding Service: Ensure that children and families receive the right help at the right time delivered by the right people.
3. Develop the Family Safeguarding Model: this will require being able to work with partners to continue the Family Safeguarding journey.
4. Amplifying Service User Voices: Ensure that the voices of children, families, carers and the community are central to service development and practice improvement.
5. Strategic Planning and Analysis: Collaborate with the Director and Assistant Directors to develop a new Children’s Plan, lead on service planning, needs analyses, and innovative research.
6. Leadership and management of Locality Family Help Teams: set an example as a leader in delivering a high performing culture where practitioners are empowered to perform to high standards.
About You
You will bring:
1. In-Depth Knowledge: Experience and knowledge of children’s services.
2. Leadership Experience: A proven track record in leading social work services, working closely with senior managers, stakeholders, partners, and Elected Members.
3. Provide high quality reporting: experience of writing and delivering high quality reports at both local and national level.
4. Knowledge of working with both local and national partners: Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and deliver this in a meaningful way to a wide audience supporting a systemwide consistent understanding of our performance and drive evidence-based improvements.
5. Project and Change Management: Experience in leading successful projects and improvement programmes.
Why Join Us?
In a recent staff survey our staff told us that across Children’s Services there is effective strategic leadership, that communication is strong and that there are opportunities for career development.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of children and families in Walsall. We offer:
1. A supportive work environment.
2. Opportunities for professional development.
3. The chance to shape the future of our Children’s Services.
Closing Date: 08th Feb 2025
Interview Date: 17th February 2025
Join us in making Walsall the best place for children and families to learn, achieve, and succeed.
View: Job Description and Employee Specification
Walsall Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people and vulnerable adults. #J-18808-Ljbffr