Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services)

• Head_of_Children_s_Quality__Assurance__Innovation_and_Specialist_Services_-_job_description

Please apply online via the link provided.

The role: Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services)

Salary: £75,981 - £86,069
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid (with regular presence in Gateshead)

About us

At Gateshead, we believe that "the strength of Gateshead is the people of Gateshead." Everything we do is driven by our commitment to helping children, young people and families thrive. Our Children's Services are rated 'Good' by Ofsted, and we are ambitious about striving for excellence as we continue to strengthen practice, culture and outcomes.

Our vision is simple: every child should enjoy their childhood and have the opportunity to flourish. Our workforce are passionate, values‑driven and united behind our Thrive agenda, ensuring families remain at the heart of everything we do. As part of our refreshed senior leadership team, you'll join a collaborative, forward‑thinking environment where innovation, learning and improvement are not only encouraged but expected.

The opportunity

This is a newly created and pivotal strategic leadership role at the centre of our improvement and innovation journey.

As Head of Quality Assurance and Innovation (Children's Services) - one of three Heads of Function within the service - you will shape, drive and oversee our approach to quality assurance, performance, practice development and specialist services across early help, family help, social work and wider children's services.

You will provide leadership across key statutory and system functions, including:

• quality assurance and performance frameworks
• inspection preparation and ongoing regulatory readiness
• Independent Reviewing Service and LADO
• practice development, improvement and innovation
• workforce planning and workforce development, learning and the Social Work Academy
• children's participation and engagement
• domestic abuse and specialist service delivery
• partnerships and contributing to multi agency safeguarding arrangements

You will contribute to continued strengthening of an environment in which our practitioners and managers feel supported, valued and equipped to deliver high quality relational; practice in order to improve outcomes for children . You will play a key role in shaping our Families First transformation programme; support the evaluation of our test‑and‑learn team, enabling us to understand "what good looks like" using insight, evidence and learning to shape our future practice model as we move forward with wider social care reforms.

You will work closely with our newly appointed Service Director and senior leaders across the system to embed a strong culture of continuous learning, relational practice and high expectations. Your leadership will ensure that children's voices and lived experience remain central to service development, decision‑making and improvement.

What you'll bring

We're looking for an inspirational and values‑led leader who can inspire confidence, drive improvement and influence practice at every level.

You will bring:

• a professional qualification directly linked to strategic delivery of service improvement, quality assurance and service transformation within social care or closely related field
• significant senior leadership experience in delivering services to children and young people
• a strong track record in quality assurance, service improvement and regulatory readiness
• deep knowledge of safeguarding legislation, and national policy associated with delivering good outcomes for children
• experience leading multi‑agency partnerships and complex portfolio areas
• the ability to analyse complex information and provide clear strategic insight
• a collaborative, curious and influential leadership style
• commitment to relational, strengths based and trauma informed practice‑based and trauma‑informed practice

Above all, you will be passionate about improving outcomes for children and ensuring their voices shape practice, culture and decision‑making.

This is a high‑profile leadership role with genuine scope to shape culture, strengthen practice and influence outcomes across the whole system.

What we offer

In Gateshead, we value our leaders and invest in their wellbeing, development and future. In this role, you will benefit from:

• Competitive salary
  A fair and transparent pay structure that reflects your skills, experience and leadership contribution.
• Outstanding Local Government Pension Scheme
  A highly regarded, secure pension with generous employer contributions. Find out more at: TWPF
• Generous annual leave
  32 days of annual leave (including 2 fixed days), with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
• Hybrid and flexible working
  Senior leaders work on a hybrid basis, spending 60% of their time at Gateshead Civic Centre, supporting effective collaboration, visibility and leadership while maintaining flexibility and balance.
• Learning and development
  Extensive professional development opportunities, including leadership programmes, system‑wide learning and Social Work Academy support.
• Health and wellbeing support
  Access to mental health resources, occupational health, and discounted gym membership through our partner GLL.
• Cycle to Work scheme
  A tax‑efficient way to stay active while saving money.
• Electric and hybrid car scheme
  A cost‑effective and environmentally friendly salary sacrifice scheme (after 12 months' service), enabling access to brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicles.
• Exclusive discounts and salary sacrifice options
  Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on retail, travel and everyday purchases, plus salary‑sacrifice options for white goods, electronics and more (after 6 months' service).