Chief Officer - Family Help and Social Work
Salary: £112,000 - £123,000 (pay award pending)
Leading a citywide safeguarding system with purpose
Leeds is a city with bold ambition for children and families. We are proud of our strong values, our commitment to inclusion and our relentless focus on improving outcomes.
We are driven by our Leeds Ambitions, prioritising the actions that will have the most impact for people in our city over the next decade. Working together with partners, communities and families, our shared goal as Child Friendly Leeds is that every child and young person will have the best start in life and be supported to thrive.
To help lead this next phase of improvement, we are recruiting three exceptional Chief Officers to join our Children and Families Directorate. These are influential, system‑leading roles that will work collectively as part of a strong and values‑driven senior leadership team, shaping the future of services across the city. We are continuing to strengthen our social work and family help system - with prevention, early intervention and safeguarding at its core - and we’re seeking a courageous, experienced leader to help drive that work forward.
Reporting directly the Director of Children and Families, the Chief Officer for Family Help & Social Work will provide strategic leadership across the end‑to‑end safeguarding system, from early help and the integrated front door through to statutory social work. As a senior corporate leader, you will help shape the strategic direction of Children and Families and contribute to the wider leadership of the council and the Leeds Ambitions.
Your impact
You will lead area‑based children’s social work and family help services across Leeds, ensuring children are safeguarded, families are supported to stay together wherever it is safe to do so, and statutory responsibilities are delivered to the highest professional standards.
You will guide the ongoing development of the family help system, strengthening prevention, reducing unnecessary escalation and embedding strengths‑based practice through the Leeds Practice Model. Working closely with partners across education, health, police and the voluntary and community sector, you will ensure integrated, effective approaches to safeguarding and family support.
You will provide expert advice to elected members and senior leaders on safeguarding, social work practice and early help, and represent Leeds in regional and national forums. You will lead transformation and continuous improvement activity, maintaining readiness for Ofsted inspection and ensuring learning drives sustained progress.
As a leader of people, services and significant budgets, you will build a high‑performing, values‑driven workforce focused on excellent outcomes for children and families.
About you
You will be a registered social worker with substantial senior leadership experience in children’s social care. You will bring:
Extensive experience leading safeguarding and statutory social work services
Strong knowledge of legislation, policy and inspection frameworks (including Ofsted)
A proven ability to lead complex systems and large‑scale change
Political acumen and confidence operating in highly visible, sensitive environments
Excellent communication, influence and partnership‑building skills
You will be driven by a clear purpose: keeping children safe, strengthening families and ensuring Leeds continues to deliver high‑quality, child‑centred services.
Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 31st May 2026