The client is seeking a Head of Service Early Help & Prevention to lead preventative services for children, young people, and families. The role provides strategic responsibility for a portfolio that typically includes Early Help, Family Support, Youth Services, Family Hubs, and Children’s Centres, with a focus on driving service transformation, strengthening integration across localities, and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families. Visible leadership across multiple services is expected, working collaboratively with partners across health, education, and the voluntary sector.
Key responsibilities include leading Early Help, Family Support, Youth Services, and Family Hubs; driving a Family Help transformation programme and supporting locality integration; overseeing NEET-related provision, Children’s Centres, and targeted support services; and developing impactful multi-agency partnerships to improve outcomes. The role also involves leading performance management, quality assurance, and continuous service improvement to ensure services are effective, coordinated, and responsive to need.
The successful candidate will have senior leadership experience within children’s services in a local authority setting and a proven background leading Early Help, prevention, family support, or youth services. They will demonstrate experience delivering complex service transformation and integration programmes, with a strong understanding of performance frameworks, governance, and partnership working. The client will support reasonable workplace adjustments during the application and hiring process and values a diverse, inclusive workforce; recruitment decisions are based on experience and skills, with selection subject to The client’s requirements and processes.