Head of Service - Front Door and Assessment Service

Pro Social Partners; Swindon; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Head of Service - Front Door and Assessment Service

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Salary: up to £77,517 + Relocation Allowance up to £8,000 (eligibility applies)

Permanent, Full-time

Make a Difference at the Heart of Children's Services Transformation

Pro Social Partners are proud to partner with Swindon Children's Services in the search for a highly skilled and visionary Head of Service to lead the Front Door and Assessment Service as part of their ambitious transformation journey. This is a critical senior leadership role, central to safeguarding vulnerable children and families across Wiltshire.

As Head of Service, you will oversee Contact Wiltshire, the first point of contact for all referrals, working with a multi-agency safeguarding hub and ensuring a high standard of assessment for children aged 0-18. You’ll be a key leader in shaping the service, developing frameworks, and guiding decisions that protect and enhance the lives of children in the area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Front Door and Assessment Service, including multi-agency safeguarding and the Emergency Duty Service.
• Develop and shape assessment frameworks, ensuring timely and accurate responses to referrals.
• Drive forward Wiltshire’s ambitious transformation plan, ensuring the delivery of high-quality safeguarding practices and continual improvements.
• Champion relationship-based practice, using data-driven insights to inform decisions and enhance the effectiveness of services.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners, fostering a culture of partnership working to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Ensure robust support for the service’s frontline staff, guiding them to deliver exceptional assessments and interventions.
• Manage and influence thresholds for child protection decisions, leading with confidence and authority.
• Develop and sustain strategic relationships with partners across Wiltshire, ensuring the service is well-supported and integrated with the wider system.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Experienced senior leader with significant experience in safeguarding and child protection.
• Proven track record in leading complex, high-pressure services within children’s services, particularly in front-door or assessment functions.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership skills, with the ability to influence and drive cultural and systemic change.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective assessment frameworks, and use data to inform service improvements.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Passionate about improving outcomes for children and families, with a commitment to promoting inclusive practices.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary with a generous relocation package up to £8,000 (where eligible).
• Flexible working options, ensuring you can balance work and home life.
• Career development through our Social Work and Leadership Academy, with continuous professional growth opportunities.
• Generous annual leave entitlement (28 days rising to 32 days after 10 years of service).
• Comprehensive pension scheme and Employee Assistance Programme for support and well-being.
• Free parking on-site at our Swindon campus.
• Access to a robust training and support system, ensuring you have everything you need to succeed in this influential role.

Why Wiltshire?

Wiltshire is an area rich in opportunity and natural beauty, offering an exceptional quality of life. With a vibrant and diverse community, excellent schools, and strong connections to London and the South West, it’s an ideal location to build your career and enjoy a balanced lifestyle.

Your Next Steps

If you’re ready to take on a pivotal leadership role that will influence the future of children’s services in Wiltshire, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV today and take the first step towards shaping the future of children’s social care in Wiltshire.

Closing Date: 20/04/2025

Submit your CV to Pro Social Partners, and we will ensure it is forwarded directly to the recruitment team.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing
• Staffing and Recruiting