Reference: 0751
Inspire is seeking a Head of Services / Designated Safeguarding Lead.
This is a key leadership role within Inspire, responsible for providing both strategic and operational oversight of all youth-facing services.
You’ll lead 5 Service Leads across our core areas of:
youth and community work
wellbeing
personal development
skills
employer partnerships.
Working closely with the CEO and wider SLT, you’ll ensure our services are high-quality, impactful, and centred around the needs of young people.
You’ll also act as our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), playing a vital role in maintaining a strong safeguarding culture across the organisation.
You will be responsible for:
line management responsibility of our team of service leads, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
strategic oversight of service delivery, ensuring alignment with Inspire’s vision and strategic priorities
budget responsibility
acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring best practice and compliance across all services
using insight, data, and youth voice to demonstrate quality and impact of services
building strong relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders
contributing to organisational strategy and planning as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
You will need to:
have experience leading youth-focused services and driving impactful delivery
have management experience
have strong safeguarding knowledge and experience
be able to manage budgets, contracts, and funding relationships effectively
be insight-driven, using data and feedback to improve services
be able to build strong partnerships and work collaboratively
have a genuine passion for supporting young people to reach their potential.
About us
At Inspire, we support thousands of young people each year to build confidence, develop skills, and move forward positively in their lives. Everything we do is shaped by our commitment to being led by youth, driven by insight, and growing with purpose.
We are now looking for a Head of Services and Designated Safeguarding Lead (maternity/paternity cover) to join our Senior Leadership Team and continue leading our delivery across Suffolk during this period.
We will offer you
Join our fantastic team at Inspire and enjoy a range of benefits to enhance your own well-being, improve your work-life balance and most importantly make a difference to the lives of the young people we work with.
Here is what makes us a great place to work:
Career development: We invest in your future with access to training and opportunities for career advancement within the organisation
Your birthday off! After a successful probation period you will be awarded an additional day’s leave to celebrate your birthday so you can enjoy your special day without having to worry about work
Gifted leave: We understand the importance of quality time with loved ones and that is why we gift additional annual leave over the Christmas period to staff, allowing you to fully enjoy the festive break
Annual leave and Pension contributions accrual: We recognise and reward your commitment. The longer you stay, the more annual leave and pension contributions you will accrue because loyalty deserves to be celebrated
Childcare support: We understand and recognise the importance of family and that’s why we offer your children free places (aged between 5-11 years) at our holiday clubs, making it easier for you to balance your work and family life
Uniform: We make sure you feel part of the team with a professional, high-quality uniform provided at no cost to you
free parking: Enjoy the convenience of free car parking at all of our sites.
We believe in equality, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. How to apply
If you’re ready to take on a senior leadership role where you can influence real change for young people, we’d love to hear from you.
Please email your CV and covering letter to Andy Crump, CEO at andyc@inspirecharityuk.org
Closing date: 5 pm, 8 June 2026. Interview date: 29 June 2026 and 7 July 2026.
Reimagine the possibilities.
As one of the largest employers in Suffolk, we have a huge variety of exciting careers to offer people as keen to make a positive impact on the world around them as we are.
As a modern, flexible, and effective council, we’re driven to make a difference to the environment, the communities we serve, and the careers of our people. We explore innovative ways to encourage, respect, and enable everyone to be the best they can be.
By creating meaningful connections with our people and our partner organisations, we’ve built a culture of mutual collaboration, trust, and respect where everyone is supported to be their authentic selves.
We aim to inspire and empower. To improve and evolve. To develop and innovate. To take pride and ownership of the world around us and ensure that we leave a positive and lasting legacy. That’s why it’s time to reimagine a career with the council and take a fresh look at what we can offer you.
