Head of Service

**We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.**
- **Organisation**
Kirklees
-- **Directorate**
Children & Families
-- **Service Area**
Child Protection & Family Support
-- **Hours**
37
-- **Number of Jobs**
1
-- **Location(s)**
Across Kirklees & Hybrid Working
-- **Position type**
Permanent
-- **Grade**
Grade 18-19
-- **Salary**
£62,474 - £73,056 plus a Market Rate Supplement of £6000 which is reviewed annually
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**About the Role**
- Join a creative, forward-thinking senior leadership team within Children and Families at Kirklees Council. We are committed to securing the very best outcomes for children and their families. Ofsted recognised our energy and dynamism in their 2024 inspection, and we continue to make ongoing improvements. We are seeking a highly motivated and determined Head of Service to help us deliver our ambitious plans.
- This permanent role is available due to an existing Head of Service retirement in 2027. We are keen to maximise our leadership capacity as we implement and embed the principles of the Families First Partnership Programme and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
- **Key Responsibilities**
- Lead teams providing timely assessments and interventions for children and young people
- Oversee the Disabled Children’s Service
- Champion partnership working across the Council and with external agencies
- Support a culture of transparency, learning, and continuous improvement
- Ensure corporate ownership of safeguarding and develop a skilled workforce
- Use national best practice and local performance data to drive service improvement
- Manage concerns about practice and quality of care
- Monitor and manage service delivery within budgets and improvement targets
- Deliver earlier support through multi-agency teams, prioritising keeping children with their families whenever it is safe to do so
- _ Please note: While the current portfolio includes Assessment & Intervention and Children with a Disability Service, changes may occur as we develop our Families First programme and future service delivery in Kirklees._
- **About You**
- We’re looking for someone with:

- Professional Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration
- Substantial experience in frontline child protection and children’s social care
- Significant senior leadership experience
- Excellent people leadership, stakeholder management, and change management skills
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding
- Financial acumen and a flexible, solutions-focused approach
- Ability to challenge appropriately and champion best practice
- **Why Kirklees?**
- Kirklees is a place of ambition and opportunity. As Head of Service - Assessment & Intervention, you’ll join a leadership team that values innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference in the lives of children and young people. We offer a supportive environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to shape the future of children’s services in our borough.
- **Ready to lead the future of assessment and intervention in Kirklees?**
- **Interview Schedule**:

- First round: Week commencing 8th December 2025
Final round: Week commencing 5th January 2026

**Vicky Metheringham**is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.**
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- **Closing date**
02 December 2025, 11:55 PM