Head of Service for Quality Assurance

This is a career-defining opportunity to lead improvement influence strategy and help shape the future of childrens services in Bedford.

As our Head of Service for Quality Assurance youll play a critical role in delivering the national Family First reforms working across Childrens Services and partner agencies to strengthen safeguarding improve practice and deliver better outcomes for children and families. Youll lead quality assurance performance improvement IROs Child Protection Chairs LADO and improvement delivery services ensuring high standards are embedded across the organisation. You will be the Prevent Lead for the local authority. Reporting directly to the Executive Director for Children Education & Families youll be at the heart of our post-Ofsted improvement journey providing strategic leadership driving a culture of learning and accountability and influencing change at the highest levels.

As we move to the Families First model there will be substantial change to the service and successful candidates will need to be able to to lead through these time adapting to a changing portfolio.

Were looking for an experienced registered social work leader with a strong track record of quality assurance service improvement and partnership working.

If youre passionate about improving childrens lives and ready to lead meaningful change wed like to hear from you.

Closing date: 15th September 2026

Interview date: week commencing 21st September 2026.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If your application is successful you will be required to declare any spent and unspent convictions adult cautions (simple or conditional) that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

How to apply
When you are ready to apply click on Apply for Vacancy; you will be asked to upload a CVand answer some application questions. The application questions require a yes/no response. Please make sure your CV shows how you meet the requirements for the role you are applying for the job profile below will show the essential selection criteria. An optional CV template is provided below.

Please note:
The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of:
a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving)
a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only)
unless the appointment is business critical
For further information please email k

Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer.

Bedford Borough Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.