HEAD OF SERVICE
| Posting date: | 16 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £74,287 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 March 2026 |
| Location: | HU1 2AA |
| Company: | Hull City Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 33523 |
Summary
Children’s Placements and Corporate ParentingJoin Our Leadership Team – Shape the Future for Children and Families.Are you passionate about making a real difference in children’s lives? We’re seeking an inspiring and innovative leader to join our Children’s Services. This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping and developing outstanding services for children and families across our city.Why Join Us?• Impact: Lead a dedicated team and drive positive change for children and young people in our community.• Collaboration: Work closely with talented professionals across Children’s Services and with our valued partners.• Innovation: Champion new ideas, nurture partnerships, and ensure we’re always ahead in delivering safe, high-quality, and efficient services.• Leadership: Be a visible leader, supporting and developing skilled team members, working alongside and in collaboration with the whole workforce for Children and Young People & Family services. The successful candidate will have the following key responsibilities:• A strategic lead for Children’s placement sufficiency strategy and Corporate Parenting.
• Management of our fostering and adoption services and key strategic lead for Regional Adoption Agency.
• Responsible Individual for a small number of registered children’s homes and supported lodgings scheme.
About You• Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.• Significant experience in safeguarding and children’s social care, with a strong track record of leading teams and managing complex services.• Deep understanding of legislation, statutory responsibilities, and best practice in children’s social work.• Skilled in data analysis, performance management, and strategic planning.• Confident communicator, able to influence at all levels and build strong partnerships – a team player.• Committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering excellent value for money.What We Offer• The chance to make a real impact in a supportive, forward-thinking local authority.• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.• A collaborative, values-driven culture where your expertise is valued.• Competitive salary and benefits package.
If you’re ready to take on a rewarding leadership role and help us deliver the best for children and families, we’d love to hear from you.For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rachel Donnachie, Assistant Director on 01482 616 345 or rachel.donnachie@hullcc.gov.ukPlease ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria against the person specification as listed in the job description.
• Management of our fostering and adoption services and key strategic lead for Regional Adoption Agency.
• Responsible Individual for a small number of registered children’s homes and supported lodgings scheme.
About You• Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.• Significant experience in safeguarding and children’s social care, with a strong track record of leading teams and managing complex services.• Deep understanding of legislation, statutory responsibilities, and best practice in children’s social work.• Skilled in data analysis, performance management, and strategic planning.• Confident communicator, able to influence at all levels and build strong partnerships – a team player.• Committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering excellent value for money.What We Offer• The chance to make a real impact in a supportive, forward-thinking local authority.• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.• A collaborative, values-driven culture where your expertise is valued.• Competitive salary and benefits package.
If you’re ready to take on a rewarding leadership role and help us deliver the best for children and families, we’d love to hear from you.For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rachel Donnachie, Assistant Director on 01482 616 345 or rachel.donnachie@hullcc.gov.ukPlease ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria against the person specification as listed in the job description.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.