Head of Children's Services

Job Title: Head of Children’s Services – Children’s Residential Care
Location: Remote, with regular travel to children’s homes
Salary: £75,000 – £80,000 per annum (DOE)

Job Description:
An established specialist provider is seeking an experienced Head of Children’s Services to lead and oversee the quality, safety, and effectiveness of children’s residential homes. This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives by ensuring high standards of care, compliance, and continuous improvement across multiple homes. The Head of Children’s Services will work closely with operational teams, regulators, and external partners to deliver trauma-informed, child-centered services that achieve positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all children’s homes in the organisation.
• Lead and develop Operations Managers and Registered Managers, fostering a high-performance, values-led culture.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring at least 75% of homes achieve ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ inspection outcomes.
• Ensure full compliance with Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, SCCIF, and CIW frameworks.
• Oversee safeguarding strategies, incident management, and quality assurance processes.
• Support placement stability, service development, and new provision openings.
• Act as a credible, visible leader with regulators, commissioners, and partner agencies.
• Manage operational and financial aspects, including staffing, budgets, and data reporting.
• Build strong external relationships with social workers, inspectors, and community partners.
• Promote staff wellbeing, training, and professional development.

Requirements:

• Significant experience managing multiple children’s homes or complex services.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (Children & Young People) or equivalent.
• In-depth knowledge of Ofsted and CIW inspection frameworks.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and attachment theory.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and development skills for senior teams.
• Full UK driving license and flexibility to travel.
• (Desirable) Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Health & Social Care.
• (Desirable) Experience as a Responsible Individual and budget management skills.

Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to shape and influence children’s services at a senior level within a values-driven organisation committed to trauma-informed care. You will work in a collaborative environment with ongoing professional development opportunities, making a tangible difference in children’s futures.

Vetro Recruitment acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Vetro is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merit alone.