Location
Harrow

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£136,272 per annum

About the Role
Following our recent ILACS and the remodelling of our senior leadership team, Harrow Council is entering a new phase of purposeful and sustainable improvement. With strong political support, a dedicated workforce, and a clear, ambitious improvement plan, we are well-placed to make real progress. We are seeking an outstanding leader to join us on a 12-month fixed term contract as Director of Children’s Safeguarding.

In this role, you will lead statutory services for children in need of help and protection, children in care, and those on the edge of the youth justice system. Your broad and impactful portfolio will include oversight of early help services, family support, and our relationship-based practice model. Managing a delegated budget of £24.9 million and a multidisciplinary workforce, you will shape culture, build stability, and drive service transformation at pace.

You will be a key member of the directorate leadership team, reporting directly to the Strategic Director and representing the council with partners, regulators, Members, and communities. You will play a crucial role in embedding improvement activity, preparing for future inspections, and ensuring high-quality practice across all operational teams.

This is an opportunity to join a diverse, ambitious borough at a time of real purpose. Harrow has strong foundations, a collaborative culture, and the political and corporate support that makes progress possible.

Experience
Proven leadership experience in statutory safeguarding services for children, including managing complex portfolios involving children in need, children in care, and youth justice.
Experience of leading service transformation and embedding improvement activity at pace.
Demonstrable ability to manage large budgets and multidisciplinary teams.
Strong track record of working collaboratively with partners, regulators, elected Members, and communities.

About you
A values-led, resilient leader with the confidence to lead change and the experience to navigate complexity.
Committed to integrated working and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
Ability to shape culture, build stability, and drive high-quality practice across operational teams.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications
Relevant professional qualifications and/or significant senior leadership experience in children’s safeguarding or social care.
Commitment to continuous professional development and adherence to safeguarding standards.