Hamptons are working with a client in the East of England who are looking for a Permanent Head of Service for a unique strategic role reporting to the Assistant Director managing an OFSTED regulated service for children and young people.

Although you will be registered with OFSTED, this is a senior role at Head of Service level acting as the strategic and operational lead for the service.

The role:

Duties and deliverables:

To ensure the service is managed in line with statutory and regulatory requirements, and that it is adequately staffed with skilled and caring practitioners, trained, equipped and supervised so that they are best able to meet children’s needs well. 
Lead on the development of relevant strategies, policies, procedures, programmes and projects across Children’s Services and professional agencies. 

To identify, and lead on service improvement and innovation, to meet the evolving needs of children and ensure that the service is at the forefront of meeting national standards for children & young people accommodated there.
Continually review and reshape service delivery to achieve financial efficiencies and maximise opportunities for income generation, whilst maintaining the highest standards of service delivery
Ensure the effective management and deployment of all appropriate budgets in line with agreed financial processes, envelopes and savings, including contract budgets for people services and pooled budgets where appropriate.
The post holder will be responsible for four managers who in-turn line manage Team Leads and Support staff.

The post holder is directly responsible for a gross budget for this directorate of approximately 6-7 million pounds

About You:

Candidates must have the following:

• Business acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset to lead the strategic delivery of services and maintain a focus on obtaining best value for money at all times balanced, against the difficult and sensitive challenges faced.
• Ability to lead, develop and sustain effective team, partnership and multi-agency working through strong effective advocacy, influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ability to establish and sustain positive relationships that generate confidence, ability and trust.
• Highly developed influencing and negotiation skills to operate at a strategic professional and political level, locally and nationally.
• Understanding of the barriers to organisational and cultural change and the commitment to being a catalyst for change.
• A good track record of improving experiences and outcomes for children and young people in care.
• In depth understanding of regulatory requirements from Ofsted, and CQC alongside identifying targets for improvement and implementing and monitoring continual service development to keep the Home at the forefront of change.
• Ability to network effectively with a wide and diverse range of persons and positions.
• Evidence of operating effectively and openly within the democratic process with the political acumen and skills to develop productive working relationships with Councillors that command respect, trust and confidence.
• Leadership by example with a style that empowers others and is open to question and challenge as well as a commitment to continuous self-improvement.
• A commitment to and evidence of successful strategies in managing personal resilience and wellbeing at a leadership level and promoting positive leadership practice, role modelling these behaviours for others. 
• Evidence of planning for the future delivery of services, including effective workforce planning for future challenges.

Essential qualifications:

• A relevant graduate Level qualification or equivalent and/or relevant compensating experience at a senior leadership level.
• Evidence of continuous professional and leadership skill development.
• Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership in Residential Care for Children & Young People.

What's on offer: Salary of £80,000 – £97,000 dependent on experience plus extensive benefits package including relocation package 

About The Client: The client is based in the East of England

Recruitment Timeline: Interviews to take place 3rd and 4th November 2025

To apply, please complete the below form and include an up to date CV.

Or for a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Jo Parnell on jo@hamptonsresourcing.com or 01926 353970

Hamptons is passionate about equality, and is committed to developing an inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant regardless of your individual needs. Any reasonable adjustments will be fully supported during the application and hiring process.