Overview

Are you a visionary leader with a deep commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and families? Islington Council is seeking the Assistant Director, Safeguarding and Quality Assurance within the Family Help and Safeguarding Service. This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead strategic safeguarding practice across the borough, drive innovation and excellence in service delivery, and lead Islington in delivering on Reform changes as part of the Family’s First Partnership programme. A relationship-based, trauma-informed approach underpins everything we do to support children and families, and we are looking for a leader who is trauma informed and can provide relationship-based practice across Family Help and Safeguarding.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership for safeguarding, child protection, and Looked After Children services, including leadership of the Workforce Development and Exploitation and Missing Children’s service.
• Champion quality assurance and lead the development of practice across the workforce, including inspections and strategic focus areas related to safeguarding children in care, children supported by a child protection plan, and the workforce.
• Ensure feedback from children, families, and partners informs service planning and delivery.
• Drive workforce development and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Collaborate across council services and with external partners to deliver integrated safeguarding solutions.
• Prepare the service for Ofsted and other external inspections.
• Act as a key conduit between the council and partner agencies, fostering a collaborative and resolution-focused approach.

Who We’re Looking For

• A qualified social work background with current registration.
• Significant experience in statutory child protection and leadership.
• A strong track record in driving practice improvement and managing change.
• Deep knowledge of safeguarding legislation, procedures, and best practice.
• A commitment to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion principles in everything you do.
• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and partnership-building skills.

Why Join Us

Islington is committed to inclusive, forward-thinking social care services and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and families. You will lead a high-performing service and make a lasting impact in a team that values relationship-based practice. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Deborah Idris, Director of Family Help and Safeguarding.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: We manage the recruitment process internally and will reach out directly if external support is required.

Our Offer

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and to looking after our people as well as the place and the planet. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and commitment to paying the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to Disclosure to the DBS and other professional registrations and checks.

Post requirements: The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, Social Work England/HCPC registration, qualifications check and 3/5 years of referencing.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.