Director of Families, Quality & Commissioning

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Keep children safe. Strengthen families. Lead with purpose.

Lewisham is ambitious for its children and young people. We are a Pathfinder authority delivering the Families First for Children national reforms and leading the way for family-led and evidence-led practice. We have developed strong multi-agency partnerships including schools, health and housing and we want to continue to strengthen our locality-based work to support children and families at the earliest opportunity. We want our data and insight to drive our practice and support this with innovation and evolving technology. We’re seeking a Director of Families & Commissioning to lead front door, prevention, youth justice and edge of care services while overseeing joint commissioning, performance and quality.

What’s the role?

Reporting to our Executive Director of Children & Young People, Sara Rahman, you’ll set the direction for a high performing division that combines targeted support with robust assurance and commissioning. You’ll lead adolescent safeguarding, youth justice and child protection, working with partners to intervene early and prevent escalation.

You’ll drive strategy, performance and quality across the directorate, embedding a learning culture that listens to children and acts on feedback and reviews. You’ll use data, insight and market shaping to secure high-quality, cost-effective services aligned to future need.

You’ll lead c.300 colleagues, including six Heads of Service, promoting inclusive leadership, strong supervision and clear professional standards. You’ll work closely with Health, Police, Probation and schools to tackle inequalities and ensure services reflect the strengths and diversity of Lewisham’s communities.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

You’re a senior leader with a strong track record in safeguarding and children’s social care, and deep understanding of the statutory framework. You combine strategic vision with operational grip, partnership skill and political awareness. You connect prevention with practice quality, leading with empathy, clarity and purpose.

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Frazer Thouard (frazer.thouard@gatenbysanderson.com) or Alex Hayes (alex.hayes@gatenbysanderson.com).

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification and to apply for the role.

Salary

£126,543 to £132,441 per annum (DIR 2)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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