Head of Service Quality Assurance, Inspection and Safeguarding

Join Our Leadership Team as Head of Quality Assurance Safeguarding and Audit

Location: County Hall Preston Lancashire

Directorate: Education and Childrens Services Childrens Social Care

Salary: 77883 - 85119

About the Role:

Are you a leader with a passion for ensuring the highest standards in Childrens Social Care Lancashire County Council is seeking a dynamic Head of Quality Assurance Inspection and Safeguarding to lead and shape our strategic approach to safeguarding inspection readiness and service improvement across Childrens Social Care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Champion and sustain the Lancashire Family Safeguarding Model (LFSM) ensuring its continued impact and effectiveness.
• Lead the coordination of quality assurance across Childrens Services including audit planning execution and reporting.
• Drive preparation for inspections and peer reviews contributing to the directorates self-assessment alongside senior leaders.
• Manage Independent Reviewing Officers and provide professional oversight of key services including the Emergency Duty Team LADO Family Group Conferencing SEND IAS School Safeguarding and Child Employment and Entertainment.
• Supporting the delivery of the Families First programme.
• Provide effective senior leadership and management of a diverse workforce fostering a culture of continuous professional development.
• Develop and implement strategic business plans aligned with the core purpose of Childrens Social Care.

What you will bring:

• Proven leadership experience in childrens social care.
• Strong strategic thinking analytical skills and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Experience in inspection preparation quality assurance and multi-agency working.
• An ability to demonstrate the behaviours and capabilities of our leadership framework.

For more details on the role and requirements please refer to the job description & person specification linked below:

Job Description & Person Specification

Please attach a word document no longer than 2 A4 pages with the following:

• a detailed account of your experience in leading a large Childrens social care service.
• a statement on why you are the right candidate for this role.

Longlisting w/c 24th November 2025

Interviews 4th and 12th December

For a confidential conversation with our Executive Director please contact: