Who You Are You are an experienced and qualified social work professional with a current Social Work England registration. You possess extensive post-qualification training and have demonstrated experience at a senior level in Children’s Services, including working within the complexities of a political environment. You have a detailed understanding of legislation, safeguarding procedures, and the statutory framework governing social work practice. Your experience includes leading teams, managing resources, and driving quality improvement in practice. You are able to communicate effectively across various audiences and possess the emotional intelligence needed to mentor staff and inspire transformational change. Your skills include strategic planning, risk management, and performance evaluation, all underpinned by a deep understanding of the communities served. What the Job Involves This pivotal role involves leading the Corporate Parenting Service, including overseeing statutory social work services for children in care, those under care proceedings, and care-experienced young people. You'll lead and manage teams, ensuring quality service delivery against national and local targets. You will oversee budget management, ensuring effective use of resources, and contribute to strategic planning and development of services. You will liaise with senior leaders, stakeholders, and boards, reporting on performance and advising on practice improvements. The position demands flexibility with working hours, including providing out-of-hours cover, and the ability to travel for meetings across the borough and nationally. The role is hybrid, requiring presence at council offices and occasional travel, with a commitment to embrace Havering's iCare values and adapt to change as required.