Job Description

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Head of Service - Practice, Quality & Learning (CDC)

location_on
Civic Office/Hybrid
25/01/2026


Head of Service - Practice, Quality & Learning (CDC)


The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.


Job details

Salary

SMG, 70,614 - 76,256 per annum

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Region

Doncaster

Job category/type

Childrens Social Work

Date posted

02/01/2026

Job reference

REQ21996

Job description

Based at: Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU (Hybrid working in place)

Salary details: SMG, 70,614 - 76,256 per annum

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week (Monday - Friday)

Flexible working arrangements:

Flexi-time options and flexible working requests considered.

Closing date: 25th January

2026

An E

nhanced

Level DBS Disclosure is required for appointment to this post.

Are you a strong leader, who can inspire, with a proven track record of success and can demonstrate the ability to improve the outcomes for children through partnership working and service delivery?

Do you have comprehensive knowledge and experience of delivering and leading a large service area within a Children's Services Department?

Are you a forward thinker, committed to delivering innovative solutions, with a collaborative approach to leading and embedding a performance focused culture to promote change?

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to join our Children's Social Care team as

Head of Practice, Quality and Learning

. This is a pivotal role, ensuring that safeguarding practice across our services is robust, effective, and consistently focused on the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

You will lead on strategic priorities, oversee quality assurance, and drive continuous improvement in practice. Working closely with other senior leaders, partners, and frontline teams, you will ensure compliance with statutory requirements and promote a culture of learning and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for safeguarding across Children's Social Care. Ensure compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, and local policies. Lead quality assurance and audit processes to maintain high standards of practice. Develop and implement safeguarding improvement plans. Act as the principal advisor on safeguarding matters for the service. Build strong partnerships with multi-agency stakeholders, including health, education, and police. Champion a culture of learning, reflection, and professional development.

About You

Qualified social worker with current registration (Social Work England). Significant experience in safeguarding and child protection at a senior level. Strong understanding of statutory frameworks, inspection standards, and best practice. Proven ability to lead, influence, and deliver change in complex environments. Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.


In return for your hard work and dedication, we can offer you the chance to be part of a great team dedicated to ensuring that Children and Young People in Doncaster thrive. You will also have access to a variety of attractive employee benefits including competitive leave entitlement, a generous local government pension scheme, a wide range of well-being support and development opportunities. You will also have access to a range of staff discount and benefits schemes. More information on the benefits available to you as a City of Doncaster Council employee can be found in the attached benefits book.

Please ensure you view the Job summary and Job profile as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.

Shortlisting will take place week commencing 26th January 2026 and it is anticipated that interviews will be held week commencing 2nd February 2026.

For further details or an informal chat please contact: Rebecca Wall, Service Director at Rebecca.wall@doncaster.gov.uk.

If you require support with completing the application or with interview skills in general, please contact the Advance team via email advanceemploymenthub@doncaster.gov.uk or visit their website www.advancedoncaster.co.uk for further details.

This post involves working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.

Doncaster Council is committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community where we strive to improve the quality of life for all. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share these commitments.

City of Doncaster Council is a disability confident employer committed to a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We offer interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job, are flexible when assessing people so disabled applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate they can do the job and make reasonable adjustments as required.
Head of Service - Practice, Quality & Learning (CDC)