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The vision for our People directorate is ‘Supporting our residents to stay safe and well’ and as such we are committed to helping Havering’s children and families to lead happy, healthy lives. This means ensuring that every child has equal opportunities to thrive, access the highest possible levels of education and enjoy a stable and happy home.

The Role

Service Manager Principal Family Therapist

Service Area: Starting Well, People Directorate

Grade 11 £66378- £73602pa

As our Service Manager Principal Family Therapist, you will lead Havering's Systemic Team and help set the tone for high quality, relationship-based, evidence-informed practice across Starting Well. You will work with skilled Family Therapists and practitioners who are committed to making direct work with families meaningful, purposeful and outcome focused.

The work is varied, influential and full of purpose. You will provide high quality clinical supervision, coaching and training; support highly specialist clinical assessments and direct work for children; offer systemic consultation to practitioners; and help operational teams turn complex family situations into clear, thoughtful and effective plans of support.

You will also have the space to think strategically. From quality assurance and audit activity to developing accessible and inclusive services with partners, you will help strengthen how evidence-based interventions are delivered for children, carers and families. Your insight will influence practice, support confident decision-making and contribute to a culture where great systemic work can thrive.

Why Havering? Because this is a place where your professional expertise can be visible, valued and genuinely useful. You will join a directorate with a clear vision, a strong commitment to systemic practice, access to accredited training and in-house practice workshops, and a leadership role that lets you make a real difference to both service development and frontline practice.

If you are excited by the chance to lead a talented team, champion inclusive and culturally sensitive practice, and help improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families, we would love to hear from you.

About You

You will be an experienced systemic practitioner and leader with the ability to guide, motivate and support clinical staff in a complex children’s social care environment.
You must hold a UK recognised Systemic Psychotherapy/Family Therapy qualification at Master’s level and be UKCP registered. You will also hold a UK recognised qualification in Systemic Supervision or equivalent. Registration with the UKCP United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapists plus the Association of Family and Systemic Therapists and membership would be compulsory for both in order to practice.

You will bring experience of operational leadership of diverse statutory teams in complex or multi-agency settings, together with strong knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance and practice relating to child social care.

We are looking for someone with a proven track record of coaching, mentoring and supervising practitioners, influencing the quality of practice, and delivering positive outcomes for children and families. You will have experience of working within a systemic model of practice, including systemic supervision, and of developing and supervising family therapy clinics.

You will be highly organised, resilient and confident in setting clear priorities, objectives and standards, and delivering to challenging performance targets. Excellent written, verbal, presentation and IT skills are essential, alongside the ability to produce high quality analytical reports and maintain open, effective communication.
You will be able to collaborate effectively with professionals, partner agencies and stakeholders, influence services where there is no direct line management relationship, identify gaps in provision and advocate for resources or policy changes that improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is essential. You will foster a culturally accepting environment and support your team to work sensitively with children and families from diverse backgrounds.

Please view Job Profile here

Closing date: 31st July 2026

Shortlisting date: w/c 3rd August 2026

Interview date: 10th August 2026 & 13th August 2026

Presentation/Assessment required

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Gary Jones, D/PSW & Head of Professional Practice. Please email me on gary.jones@havering.gov.ukand I will arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss the role.

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.

The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

About us

With its excellent transport links into central London, extensive town centre regeneration and the highest concentration of green space anywhere in London, Havering has a unique offer as a place to live, work and visit. By making the most of its position and opportunities, Havering is becoming a hub for start-ups and expanding businesses, as well as construction, logistics, engineering and manufacturing industries.
Find out why you should work for Havering Council.