Job Description

Job Advert

Director of Children's Services

Location:

Much Hadham, Hertfordshire

Salary:

104,000 per annum

Contract:

Full time | Permanent

Inspire potential. Champion change. Shape the future.

For more than 120 years, St Elizabeth's has been supporting children and adults with complex needs to live life to the full. Today, we are one of the few UK charities to provide a truly integrated offer -- with education, residential care, therapies, and health services all co-located on one specialist campus.



Our 60-acre site in Much Hadham includes a school, FE college, seven Ofsted-registered children's homes, adult supported living, and a CQC-registered health agency. Together, we support around 180 children and young people, many with severe epilepsy, learning disabilities, autism and associated conditions, providing not just care, but opportunity, aspiration, and community.



We are entering an exciting new chapter of development and growth. To achieve our ambitions, we are now seeking a visionary

Director of Children's Services

to join our Executive Team.

The Role

This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive, with accountability for the strategic leadership and operational excellence of our children's residential care and health services.


You will:

Provide

strategic leadership

across seven Ofsted-registered children's homes, ensuring they consistently deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred care. Lead our CQC-registered

Health Agency

(nursing, therapies, psychology and clinical services), driving integration and innovation to improve outcomes for children. Shape and deliver the

long-term vision

for children's services, aligned with our organisational strategy and values. Ensure

regulatory excellence

, building strong, transparent relationships with Ofsted, CQC, commissioners and external partners. Act as

Designated Safeguarding Lead

at Executive level, embedding a culture of vigilance, safety, and empowerment across all children's services. Oversee the

admissions pipeline

, working closely with local authorities and families to ensure St Elizabeth's continues to meet demand and future need. Drive

service improvement and transformation

, informed by best practice, evidence, and the voices of children, families and staff. Inspire, support and develop a

multi-disciplinary workforce

of over 200 colleagues, ensuring they are equipped, motivated and valued.

About You

You will bring a track record of senior leadership in children's residential care, health, or social care services, with a strong grasp of regulatory frameworks and quality improvement. Specifically, you will have:

Significant leadership experience in

Ofsted-regulated children's provision

, with demonstrable impact on outcomes and quality. A deep understanding of

safeguarding legislation

and experience of acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead. The ability to lead

multi-disciplinary teams

across care, health, and therapies, and to work in partnership with education colleagues. Strong skills in

strategic planning, service design, and transformation

, with evidence of successful innovation. Exceptional communication skills, enabling you to inspire teams, build trust with families, and influence commissioners and regulators.

Desirable:

Experience of CQC-regulated health or therapy services. Familiarity with commissioning, contracting, and funding models. A professional qualification in social care, health, education or related discipline.


Above all, you will share our belief in the potential of every child, and will embody our values of being

Aspirational, Joyful, Collaborative and Compassionate.

What We Offer

Salary:

104,000 per annum plus 5,000 welcome bonus (T&Cs apply)

Annual leave:

30 days plus service-related increases

Healthcare:

Bupa private medical cover

Pension:

Generous contributory scheme

Wellbeing:

Employee assistance, free parking, subsidised meals, and a beautiful countryside campus

Development:

A culture that invests in leadership, professional growth, and continuous learning The opportunity to shape one of the UK's most distinctive models of integrated education, care and health provision


This is an on-site role based in Much Hadham. Due to our rural location, a driving licence and access to transport are essential.

Apply Now

This is more than a job -- it's a chance to shape lives, influence practice nationally, and leave a lasting legacy.



If you are ready to lead with vision, compassion, and impact, we would love to hear from you. For a confidential conversation, please contact:

recruitment@stelizabeths.org.uk

Lead with vision. Transform with care. Join St Elizabeth's and help children live life to the full.

#INDMGR