Head of Quality Assurance & Workforce Development

Head of Quality Assurance & Workforce Development

Reference number: SC07612

Location: London

Schedule: Full-time

Salary Range: (Full time equivalent) - £69,537 - £86,766

Contract Type: Permanent

Lead with Purpose. Inspire Practice. Make a Difference.

Are you passionate about driving excellence in children's services?

If yes, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

We are seeking an experienced Head of Service for Quality Assurance and Workforce Development to provide strong leadership and strategic direction across Children's and Adults' Services within the Council and our multi-agency partnerships.

About the Role:

This key role leads quality assurance and workforce development across Southwark's Children's Services, ensuring we meet all statutory duties and inspection requirements.

You will:

• Manage specialist teams focused on quality, learning and workforce development.
• Drive continuous service improvement and innovation.
• Lead the divisional partnerships team.
• Support senior leadership with strategic and operational planning.
• Deputise for the Assistant Director when required.

Working with a range of partners and stakeholders, you will be a vocal advocate for children, young people and their families ensuring every child gets the best start in life.

You will directly line manage service managers and oversee all quality assurance activities across children's services including audits, learning functions, inspection readiness, and children's rights and participation initiatives.

Southwark is a vibrant and diverse inner London borough with a strong record of innovation and delivery. While challenges remain, we also offer exciting opportunities to make a lasting impact.

About You:

To succeed in this role, you will be a qualified social worker and an experienced leader in children's services, with:

• Proven management experience in a large, complex organisation.
• A strong track record in service improvement and raising standards, particularly in quality assurance.
• The ability to lead, inspire and influence staff, partners and stakeholders.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people and to tackling injustice, inequality and racism.
• Excellent communication skills and an understanding of effective, high-quality practice.
• Up to date awareness and knowledge of professional standards, policy developments and relevant legislation.

You'll be an inspiring and strategic leader with the vision, determination and drive to lead change in a fast paced and diverse borough.

Additional Information:

• Working Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Contract Type: Permanent.
• Pay Grade: £69,537 - £86,766 per annum, plus cashable benefits (starting salary based on experience; salary progression is performance-based).
• DBS Level: Enhanced DBS check required.

For full qualifications and requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification at the bottom of the advert.

Contact Details:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Michael Crowe via email at

Benefits and more information:

Recruitment Timeline:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on Friday 7th November 2025.

Shortlisting date/s: Monday 10th November 2025.

Interview date/s: Tuesday 18th September 2025.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

About Southwark:

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark's residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark's communities and the council's staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Attachments:

• Job Description & Person Specification - Head of Quality Assurance & Workforce Development