Head of Service Roles x 5


Company:	North Somerset Council
Salary:	£63,403 - £71,838
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	18 Aug 2026
Closing date:	6 Sept 2026

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Summary

Head of Service Roles x 5:

Head of Corporate Parenting

Head of Quality Assurance & Practice Development

Head of Locality (SEND Lead)

Head of Locality (Social Care Lead)

Head of Locality (Early Help & Communities lead)

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Children's Services

We are delighted to be recruiting to several Head of Service opportunities within our Children's Services leadership team.

These roles have been created following a comprehensive review of our services and progression of our existing members of the team. The new service design will ensure we are well placed to deliver the ambitions of the Families First reforms, deliver quality services for children with SEND, and provide the very best support for children, young people and families across our communities.

This is a unique opportunity to join us at a time of significant innovation. We are reshaping services around the needs of children and families, strengthening our locality approach, and creating the conditions for children and young people to thrive. We are looking for ambitious, values-driven leaders who can help shape that future, working collaboratively with partners, communities and our workforce to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities.

As a leadership team, we are passionate about creating an environment where people feel they can bring their whole selves to work, where different perspectives are valued, and where everyone has a genuine sense of belonging. We know that the best services are built by teams that embrace diversity of thought, challenge each other constructively and remain focused on making a positive difference in the lives of children and families.

We are recruiting to the following roles:

Head of Corporate Parenting

Leading services for Children We Care For and Care Experienced Young People, this role will provide strategic leadership across our corporate parenting responsibilities. You will champion the voices and experiences of children and young people, ensuring they receive the care, support, stability and opportunities they need to thrive, achieve and successfully transition into adulthood.

Head of Quality Assurance and Practice Development

This role will lead our quality assurance, learning and improvement arrangements, including the Principal Social Worker function. You will drive a culture of continuous learning, reflection and innovation, ensuring that practice is informed by evidence, focused on impact and supports the highest standards across Children's Services.

Head of Locality Services – SEND

This role will lead locality-based services with strategic responsibility for SEND. Working closely with schools, settings and partners, you will champion inclusive practice, improve educational outcomes and help shape our response to the opportunities presented by SEND reform.

Head of Locality Services – Social Care

This role will lead locality-based social care services and provide strategic oversight for children's social care practice. You will play a critical role in ensuring children receive high-quality, relationship-based support, protection and intervention, underpinned by strong practice leadership and a commitment to excellent outcomes.

Head of Locality Services – Early Help and Communities

This role will lead locality-based service delivery while providing strategic leadership for our Early Help offer. Working with partners and communities, you will drive our ambition to provide the right support at the right time, helping families build resilience and preventing needs from escalating.

We are looking for leaders who are compassionate, ambitious and collaborative; who can inspire confidence and lead through change; and who are committed to continuous improvement and excellent practice. Above all, we want people who are motivated by improving the lives and life chances of children and young people.

The successful candidates will join a supportive, ambitious and forward-thinking leadership team committed to learning, innovation and delivering outstanding services. Together, we are building a culture that values strong relationships, professional curiosity, shared accountability and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

If you are looking for a leadership role where you can make a meaningful impact, influence the future direction of Children's Services and support a talented and committed workforce, we would encourage you to take a closer look at these opportunities.

We would particularly welcome applications from people who share our commitment to inclusion, curiosity and compassionate leadership, and who are excited by the opportunity to help us build services that children, young people and families deserve.

Contact Information

For further information about the roles, please contact Ben Short, Assistant Director, Children’s Services at ben.short@n-somerset.gov.uk. Anthony Webster, Assistant Director, Children's Services at Anthony.webster@n-somerset.gov.uk

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