Head of Service - Children''s Safeguarding and Family Support Southend-on-Sea City Council Salary: £79,807-£89,823 Southend-on-Sea City Council is entering a new chapter, one defined by ambition, innovation and a renewed drive to enhance outcomes for children and families. We are seeking an exceptional leader to take forward our Children''s Safeguarding and Family Support Service at a pivotal point in our development. This role carries strategic responsibility for our key front door functions, including the Children''s Single Point of Contact, Assessment and Intervention, Family Support and Protection, and services for Children with Disabilities. You will be accountable for the performance and practice standards across these areas, ensuring that we remain inspection ready and relentlessly focused on safe, effective and timely decision making. Looking ahead, you will play a central leadership role in embedding our new Families First model - a major initiative that will strengthen our early intervention offer and create more integrated, accessible pathways for families. This is a significant opportunity to shape service design, align resources to need, and influence long term strategy across the wider Children''s Social Care system. You will join a collaborative senior leadership team committed to reflective practice, transparent decision making and consistent, values driven leadership. In this environment, innovation is encouraged, outcomes matter, and leaders are empowered to