Job title: Early Help Locality Lead
Salary: JNC Dir 45% (£57,176 - £62,695)
Hours: 37
Contract: 2 x Full Time, Permanent positions available
Location: Leeds
Leeds is an innovative local authority which has an outstanding record for children's services and played a key role in the outcome of the Care Review recommendations.
The Care Review provided the sector with an opportunity to be brave and rebalance the relationship between services and families. The principles of family help sit within our family valued approach and are woven through our
Leeds children’s services are rated outstanding by Ofsted. We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds and want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
Preventative and early help services in Leeds play an integral part in delivering the outcomes of the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan and are a key component of achieving our ambition of being a Child Friendly City. Leeds commitment and investment to this approach continues and a review of Early Help services has recently concluded to achieve efficiencies by simplifying structures and processes. The revised structure and ways of working will improve the quality of practice and the experience of children and families as they receive early help. It will develop the availability of evidence-based support and increase the engagement with children and families as well as providing a strong foundation on which to build Family Help Services in the future.
As one of the three Early Help Locality Leads you will thrive on delivering positive, systematic change to how we deliver Early Help services for children and families in Leeds. You will have high ambitions for children and families in need of Early Help and be able to provide the strategic leadership in order to be confident that we are reaching and engaging all of those in need of help and support. You will take a strengths-based approach to tackling challenges and champion the value of Early Help and do everything possible to support children to remain with their families and their communities.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As an Early Help Locality Lead, you will bring to the role:
1. An appropriate professional qualification related to working with children, young people and families (such as Youth Work, Social Work, Health, Education).
2. Significant senior managerial experience within a relevant service area of using your diverse knowledge and expertise to evaluate business practice and assess and influence innovative ways of working to improve practice.
3. The ability to provide strategic leadership to expand and embed family-led decision making and Asset Based Community Development approaches across Early Help Services.
4. Significant experience of leading change programmes, driving up standards and performance
About the role
The role of Early Help Locality Lead is an exciting opportunity to join the Early Help Leadership Team. You will play a vital role in implementing the outcomes of the Early Help review and specifically the development of Family Hubs in Leeds.
Partnership working and profession networks are vital to effective locality based Early Help Services. As an Early Help Locality Lead you will work closely, developing positive relationships, with colleagues from non-statutory, statutory services and 3rd Sector organisations. The voice of children, young people and their families is central to all decision-making so as the Early Help Locality Lead you will champion a collaborative, strength-based approach to ensure children, young people and their families have real opportunities to influence and shape how Early Help Services are delivered in their communities.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
5. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
6. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
7. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
8. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
9. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job purpose: To lead on the strategic and operational management of Early Help Services within a defined geographical area of Leeds. This includes effective leadership and management of an integrated multi-disciplinary team to ensure that children and young people, their families and other professionals receive the support they need to achieve the best outcomes at the earliest possible opportunity.
As a member of the Early Help Leadership Team; strategic responsibility for delivery of high quality, evidence based early interventions and statutory services to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.
Responsibilities
10. To ensure there is a clear, simple way for families to access help and support in their community in line with the Governments Family Hub Model Framework.
11. Work closely with schools and other educational settings (Early Years, mainstream, academies, special schools and Area Inclusion Partnership) on all aspects of Early Help Services in order to retain and strengthen cluster working arrangements.
12. To be a champion of Leeds aspiration and ambition to become a child friendly city.
13. Support the strategic and operational development of community/place-based working across the locality and across partners.
14. To be responsible for effective management oversight of the Early Help Service case management within Early Help teams.
15. Support and develop key networks and relationships both internally and externally, including with other teams and agencies supporting children and young people– to provide a holistic approach to meeting needs.
16. Ensure appropriate referral and intervention pathways across service areas are cohesive and interface effectively.
17. Support delivery of programmes of strategic significance to the Council to deliver services in line with Council priorities.
18. Responsible for the development and delivery of the service plan and drive continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects.
19. In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.
20. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.
Qualifications - Appropriate professional qualification as well as substantial knowledge and experience in the service area e.g. social work, youth work, health, education with significant managerial experience across the service area using your diverse knowledge and expertise to evaluate business practice and assess and influence innovative ways of working and to plan and enable the highest levels and standards in the delivery of work within your professional area or across services.
Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
21. Demonstrate extensive knowledge and understanding of the Leeds Practice Model to ensure it is embedded across Children and Families Services and the wider partnership.
22. Experience of supporting the ongoing development and sustainability of the city’s Early Help cluster model and Early Help Community and Family Hub approach.
23. Ability to provide strategic leadership in order to expand and embed family-led decision making and Asset Based Community Development approaches across Early Help Services.
24. Ability to support high quality evidenced based practice, ensuring the service facilitates high support and high challenge.
25. Able to demonstrate examples of managing services and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
26. Able to manage competing priorities, ensuring delivery on a range of programmes and adapting to changing circumstances.
27. Experience of senior leadership and management relevant to area of service delivery
28. Experience of strategic and operational resource management including the evaluation of competing priorities and managing accountabilities
29. Significant experience of leading change programmes, driving up standards and performance
30. Significant experience and commitment in relation to engagement in decision making processes.
31. Knowledge of applicable, legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information
32. Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues.
33. Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team
Behavioural & other Characteristics required.
34. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
35. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
36. Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
37. Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
38. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
39. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
40. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
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