Head of Children's Services

Job description

LinkAble supports people with a learning disability and autistic people to create the life they want to live by providing opportunities that develop skills, confidence and lasting friendships. We operate from our accessible centre, The Link, in Woking, and within the community.

After a period of growth, we are forming a Senior Management Team (SMT) to guide our next phase of development. We are seeking a Head of Services (HoS) and a Head of Finance and Operations (HFO) to work alongside the CEO.

**Overall Aim**

We are looking for an exceptional individual to join our SMT as HoS. Working with the CEO and HFO, you will shape strategy, inspire positive change, and lead service delivery teams, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.

You will ensure services meet local authority contract targets, internal KPIs, and deliver outstanding outcomes for the people we support. You will drive continuous quality improvement and create fair, transparent processes that value and support staff.

**About the Role**

The HoS will lead on Children’s Services and oversee Adults’ Services, supported by an Adult Services Manager, CYP Services Co-ordinator and two Team Leaders. You will directly lead Children’s Services, including playschemes, social groups, teens sessions and afterschool clubs and oversee Adult Services.

**Key priorities**

Include building a skilled, motivated team of playworkers and sessional staff through training, coaching, and support. You will also oversee financial management of services with the HFO, ensuring sustainability and compliance with local authority contracts. You’ll gather data and feedback to evidence our impact and report on KPIs to the CEO and Trustees.

You will work with the Office Manager to embed our Health and Safety Framework and identify resources to enhance service user experiences.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Leadership and Strategy**
- Inspire a culture of continuous improvement.
- Contribute to strategic planning aligned with LinkAble’s mission to ensure sustainability of services
- Report quarterly to the Board on service improvements.

**Services Management**
- Oversee all services, leading the services management team.
- Directly manage Children’s Services and oversee Adult Services.
- Ensure clear communication, accountability, and staff development.

**Team Development**
- Work with the Talent Acquisition and Retention (TAR) Manager to recruit and support staff.
- Ensure robust induction, training, and coaching for playworkers and sessional staff.
- Promote equality, diversity, and career progression.
- Monitor staff retention and engagement.
- Ensure health and safety practices are followed.

**Service Quality**
- Drive continuous improvement and person-centred support planning.
- Develop diverse activity programmes for service users.
- Embed co-production to meet service user needs.
- Implement inclusive communication strategies and crisis intervention training.
- Conduct observations and audits to enhance quality.
- Incorporate feedback from service users, families, and staff.

**Financial Management**
- Develop and monitor service delivery budgets with the CEO and HFO.
- Support fundraising by identifying projects and developing funding proposals.
- Ensure income and expenditure align with contract requirements.

**Contract Management**
- Ensure compliance with local authority contracts.
- Build relationships with Commissioners and stakeholders.
- Collaborate with health and social care professionals.

**Compliance and Best Practice**
- Keep service-related policies up to date.
- Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and quality standards are maintained.
- Implement evidence-based practices like Positive Behaviour Support and Active Support.

**General**
- Follow LinkAble’s policies and procedures, with a focus on equality and diversity.
- Undertake training for continuous professional development.
- Support fundraising events and other duties as needed.

**About You**

We seek a caring, driven leader with experience managing teams in health, social care, or charity settings. You should have a strong track record in both strategic planning and hands-on service delivery.

A flexible, ‘can-do’ approach, coupled with a commitment to LinkAble’s values, vision, and dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion, is key.

The is offered on a 4 or 5 day a week bases and the post holder will need to work in school holidays and occasional weekends. Working pattern to be discussed at interview