Head of Family Safeguarding & Localities -Ref: CH07626

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.

If you have any queries or would like an informal discussion about the role, please feel free to contact [email hidden] 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.

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 ourInformation 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.

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.