Head of Care Services

The Role

Joining the leadership team at St Mary’s Kenmure and reporting into the Head of Integrated Child Care Services, the Head of Care Services, will ensure that the needs of children are met, safeguarding their welfare and respecting their rights.

The successful postholder will ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and practice standards, contributing to service improvement planning and promoting evidence-led practices. They will be responsible for fostering a child-centred and rights-respecting culture within the children’s houses and ensuring collaborative work with other services supporting the children.

Key responsibilities include providing clear vision, direction, and leadership to children’s house managers and other staff as directed by the Head of Integrated Children’s Services. The role also involves managing the admission process, overseeing children’s legal statuses, ensuring safe recruitment and induction of staff, implementing comprehensive staffing assessments, and maintaining robust care plans. The role also entails developing and monitoring systems that reflect the organisation’s values, promoting effective communication with external agencies, and representing St Mary’s Kenmure on national platforms to influence policy and practice. The role also requires the successful candidate to bring their experience in service design to help St Mary’s Kenmure respond to the Promise and Reimagining Secure Care policy aspirations.

The person

The ideal candidate for Head of Care Services at St Mary’s Kenmure will be a values-driven leader with extensive leadership experience in social care, including significant experience in operational management. They will have a strong understanding of The Promise, Reimagining Secure Care, and Getting It Right for Every Child, alongside expertise in regulated services and service innovation. A degree in Social Work (or equivalent) and a relevant management qualification are essential. They will demonstrate exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and team management skills, with the ability to motivate staff, drive service improvement, and uphold children’s rights. Adaptable, resilient, and professional, they will excel in high-pressure environments while fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture.

If you are a strategic leader passionate about improving the lives of young people, eager to drive positive change, and envision a brighter future for St Mary’s Kenmure, we want to hear from you.

Further information is available below: