Director of Children's Services

Director of Children's Services

Location: Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
Salary: £104,000 per annum
Contract: Full time | Permanent
 
Inspire potential. Champion change. Shape the future.
 
For more than 120 years, St Elizabeth’s has been supporting children and adults with complex needs to live life to the full. Today, we are one of the few UK charities to provide a truly integrated offer — with education, residential care, therapies, and health services all co-located on one specialist campus.
 
Our 60-acre site in Much Hadham includes a school, FE college, seven Ofsted-registered children’s homes, adult supported living, and a CQC-registered health agency. Together, we support around 180 children and young people, many with severe epilepsy, learning disabilities, autism and associated conditions, providing not just care, but opportunity, aspiration, and community.
 
We are entering an exciting new chapter of development and growth. To achieve our ambitions, we are now seeking a visionary Director of Children’s Services to join our Executive Team.
 
The Role

This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive, with accountability for the strategic leadership and operational excellence of our children’s residential care and health services.
You will:

• Provide strategic leadership across seven Ofsted-registered children’s homes, ensuring they consistently deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred care.
• Lead our CQC-registered Health Agency (nursing, therapies, psychology and clinical services), driving integration and innovation to improve outcomes for children.
• Shape and deliver the long-term vision for children’s services, aligned with our organisational strategy and values.
• Ensure regulatory excellence, building strong, transparent relationships with Ofsted, CQC, commissioners and external partners.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead at Executive level, embedding a culture of vigilance, safety, and empowerment across all children’s services.
• Oversee the admissions pipeline, working closely with local authorities and families to ensure St Elizabeth’s continues to meet demand and future need.
• Drive service improvement and transformation, informed by best practice, evidence, and the voices of children, families and staff.
• Inspire, support and develop a multi-disciplinary workforce of over 200 colleagues, ensuring they are equipped, motivated and valued.

 
About You

You will bring a track record of senior leadership in children’s residential care, health, or social care services, with a strong grasp of regulatory frameworks and quality improvement. Specifically, you will have:

• Significant leadership experience in Ofsted-regulated children’s provision, with demonstrable impact on outcomes and quality.
• A deep understanding of safeguarding legislation and experience of acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• The ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across care, health, and therapies, and to work in partnership with education colleagues.
• Strong skills in strategic planning, service design, and transformation, with evidence of successful innovation.
• Exceptional communication skills, enabling you to inspire teams, build trust with families, and influence commissioners and regulators.

 
Desirable:

• Experience of CQC-regulated health or therapy services.
• Familiarity with commissioning, contracting, and funding models.
• A professional qualification in social care, health, education or related discipline.

 
Above all, you will share our belief in the potential of every child, and will embody our values of being Aspirational, Joyful, Collaborative and Compassionate.
 
What We Offer

• Salary: £104,000 per annum plus £5,000 welcome bonus (T&Cs apply)
• Annual leave: 30 days plus service-related increases
• Healthcare: Bupa private medical cover
• Pension: Generous contributory scheme
• Wellbeing: Employee assistance, free parking, subsidised meals, and a beautiful countryside campus
• Development: A culture that invests in leadership, professional growth, and continuous learning
• The opportunity to shape one of the UK’s most distinctive models of integrated education, care and health provision

 
This is an on-site role based in Much Hadham. Due to our rural location, a driving licence and access to transport are essential.
 
Apply Now

This is more than a job — it’s a chance to shape lives, influence practice nationally, and leave a lasting legacy.
 
If you are ready to lead with vision, compassion, and impact, we would love to hear from you. For a confidential conversation, please contact us.
 
Lead with vision. Transform with care. Join St Elizabeth’s and help children live life to the full.
 
#INDMGR
 
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