We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our senior management team in Children’s Social Care. The Head of Children’s Locality Service will be responsible for the leadership of early help, children in need, and child protection services in the Buckinghamshire south locality. This role involves overseeing services for approximately 1800 children, including those receiving early help services, children in need, children on a child protection plan, pre-proceedings, and children in care. The successful candidate will also have strategic responsibilities, including leading partnership arrangements and contributing to regional and national strategic agendas.
We are looking for a candidate who is not only qualified and experienced but also passionate about commitment to equality and positive outcomes for all children and young people.
About us
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected – only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.
We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.
About the role
The Head of Children’s Locality Service will be responsible for the leadership of early help, children in need, and child protection services in one of three Buckinghamshire localities.
Some of the key responsibilities include:
* Design clear service pathways within Buckinghamshire Council and in relation to other agencies and services.
* Oversee the statutory function of the child protection service.
* Ensure all agencies actively participate in the ongoing assessment and care management of children in need and on a child protection plan.
* Provide targeted family support to improve outcomes for children and young people.
* Lead the development of integrated specialist teams within child protection.
* Represent the Local Authority in Court Proceedings when required.
* Provide leadership oversight of the Locality Service and contribute to continuous service improvement.
* Manage the service within the allocated budget and alert senior managers to emerging risks and pressures.
* Make decisions regarding legal proceedings to protect children or secure permanent family arrangements.
* Develop and manage stakeholder relationships, upholding and promoting Council policies and interests.
* Lead key partnerships and working groups in relation to complex initiatives between the Council and other sectors.
* A minimum of 3 days a week in the office is required.
About you
We are looking for a candidate who is not only qualified and experienced in the below but also passionate about commitment to equality and positive outcomes for all children and young people.
* Significant experience of leading and managing a related/relevant service area in a large public sector organisation.
* Experience of leading children in need/child protection services.
* Proven track record of successfully developing and championing a customer-focused service function.
* Extensive knowledge and understanding of the national policy context, requirements, and major issues facing the service area.
* In-depth knowledge of national and local issues in relation to children and young people’s services.
* Excellent knowledge of all legislation and guidance relating to safeguarding and children’s services.
* Proven track record of effectively managing significant budgets and ensuring the delivery of services within agreed resources.
* Ability to interpret and use data strategically to inform the management and development of services.
* Understanding of appropriate professional standards and how these can be achieved.
* Experience of managing difficult and complex safeguarding issues.
Please see the job summary for further information.
Other information
If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact Alison Munt at.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
* All unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
* All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).
We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.
By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:
* a fair and inclusive culture.
* the chance to really make a difference to those around you.
* health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops.
* a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group.
* ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us.
* opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events.
At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.
From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.
We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.
About the Business Unit
Buckinghamshire is a successful, growing place with fantastic natural assets, a highly productive economy and many resourceful and thriving communities. However, we are far from complacent and our new and ambitious unitary authority is well placed to tackle the challenges associated with growth, an aging population, climate change and inequalities in both opportunities and outcomes – particularly for our children and young people.
Children’s Services is on an improvement journey and as our very recent Ofsted report shows, we have continued to improve despite the pressures of the pandemic and have built solid foundations for future success. Relationships with partners are strong and our collective response to the pandemic has strengthened and deepened our work together.
We have a big, ambitious agenda for Buckinghamshire, and our teams work collaboratively and at pace to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people across the county.
We are looking for talented and driven individuals to help us achieve the best outcomes for our children, young people and families in Buckinghamshire. Our key priorities include continuing to protect vulnerable children and young people from harm, whilst sustaining an environment where social work practice can thrive. Through our vital work with our partners, including The Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, we continue to improve our collective response to children and young people who have been exposed to domestic abuse, exploitation, substance misuse and mental health issues.
No matter what role you take on in our Children’s services, you will be part of a team who is dedicated to supporting children and their families to achieve their full potential.
We recognise and reward you
Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.
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