Walsall Council
Head of Family Safeguarding & Localities -Ref: CH07626
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Walsall Children's Services is seeking an exceptional and ambitious leader to join us as Head of Service - Locality, Family Help and Child Protection on a 12-month fixed term contract. - Ref: CH07626
Grade: SM1; Salary Range: £84,191 - £95,535
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the next phase of our improvement and transformation journey as we continue to embed the Families First for Children reforms across Walsall. We are committed to delivering high-quality, relationship-based practice that provides the right help at the right time, strengthens family networks, protects children from harm, and improves outcomes for children and families.
As Head of Service, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Locality Services, Family Help and Child Protection. You will lead and support high-performing teams, drive innovation and continuous improvement, and work collaboratively with partners to deliver integrated services that help children thrive safely within their families and communities wherever possible.
This role offers a unique opportunity to influence and shape the future delivery of services during a period of significant reform. You will work closely with senior leaders and partners to embed new ways of working, strengthen multi-agency practice, and ensure children and families remain at the heart of everything we do.
We are looking for a leader who:
- Is passionate about achieving the very best outcomes for children and families.
- Has substantial experience of leading children's social care services.
- Demonstrates strong strategic, operational and partnership leadership skills.
- Has a clear understanding of Family Help, Child Protection and safeguarding practice.
- Can lead and inspire teams through change and transformation.
- Is committed to innovation, learning and continuous improvement.
- Champions restorative, strengths-based and relationship-focused practice.
- Experience of the Public Law Outline and committed to achieving permanency for children.
This is an excellent development opportunity for an experienced leader who wants to contribute to a high-performing service, influence system-wide change and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and families.
Further details are provided in the attached JD and Specification. [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/CH07626%20Head%20of%20Family%20Safeguarding%20and%20Localities%20JDES.pdf]
If you have any queries or would like an informal discussion about the role, please feel free to contact Kay.Mangat@Walsall.gov.uk [Kay.Mangat@Walsall.gov.uk] PA to Director Children’s Social Care
The recruitment process will include a values interview, technical interview, a stakeholder panel interview, and an interview with a panel of children and young people. These elements are designed to assess candidates' professional expertise, leadership capabilities, partnership working, and commitment to ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are at the heart of decision-making and service delivery.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Closing Date: 22nd October 2026
Interviews will be held on the 9th and 10th November 2026.
Join us as we continue our transformative journey and help create a better future for children, young people and families across Walsall.
Legislation imposes restrictions on political activity for certain local government employees. This position is designated as a politically restricted (sensitive) post as set out in Part 1 the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990 (LGO(PR)R 1990) [SI 851] and S.30 of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
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, young people and vulnerable adults.
Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.
Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That's why - as well as a satisfying and rewarding job - we offer a range of attractive benefits [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-/benefits-of-working-for-us]. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.
We advertise vacancies because we want the best talent available. If that's you, we're waiting for your application.
Living in Walsall
Part of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages.
Walsall Council is committed to Safer Recruitment. To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Social Work Matters - Children's Social Worker Recruitment Some of our children require a special kind of support: yours. Visit our microsite [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/social-work-recruitment] to find out more about joining Walsall Council as a Children's Social Worker.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Location