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- Tasks: Lead Hampshire's Children's Services through transformative change and ensure quality service delivery.
- Company: Hampshire County Council, a top-performing authority with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Hybrid working arrangements, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of children's services in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Visionary leadership experience and ability to manage substantial budgets.
- Other info: Join a well-led organisation dedicated to delivering vital services for Hampshire's diverse population.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Hampshire is a fantastic county, home to an increasingly diverse population with justifiably high expectations of their political leaders and public servants. The County Council is, and has been, consistently one of the top performing authorities in the Country in all key areas of service delivery across all externally validated measures.
Not least, Hampshire’s Children’s Services have been judged as “Outstanding” on two consecutive occasions since 2019. It is a well-led organisation with an eye to the future and an enduring commitment to delivering vital services to the residents of Hampshire.
The County Council is hugely ambitious for the future but also retains a dedicated focus on the importance of upholding quality service delivery for today. Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation present a unique opportunity to secure the best possible outcomes for all of Hampshire’s residents.
For Children’s Services, this means ensuring excellent services during a period of significant change and transformation. The scale of the system is significant, with 550 schools and budgetary accountability of £500m. The challenges facing the sector nationally are ever present in Hampshire, with SEND and home to school transport pressures well recognised and addressed. Across the directorate, services are well-led and managed, well-regarded by children, young people and their families, and relationships with partners are constructive.
This means a professionally qualified and forward thinking Director of Children’s Services is essential to lead the Directorate and its workforce as it navigates these major changes. As DCS, you will ensure the quality and sustainability of core services, provide leadership across the system and hold and develop key relationships with our partners and stakeholders in the face of change and degrees of uncertainty. As a CMT member, you will make a full contribution to the leadership of the County Council and be skilled at working beyond directorate and organisational boundaries. Critical to this is that excellent services endure and form a key component of a public service system that is fit for future purpose.
You will bring the exceptional ability to lead high-performing organisations through periods of transformative change, leveraging the strengths of a talented team while effectively managing a substantial budget amidst evolving challenges and financial pressures within the sector and system.
Irrespective of where you are now, you will be a visionary leader with the foresight, experience and leadership attributes to guide Hampshire’s Children’s Services through ambitious and transformative times. This is a pivotal role at a critical moment to shape the future of Hampshire.
To find out more about this exceptional role, please speak with our advisor at Berwick Partners – Jonathan Clark on +44 7736 818185. To apply, please click 'Apply Now'.
Closing date for applications: 5:00pm 13th February 2026
Director of Children’s Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements[...] employer: Berwick Partners
Contact Detail:
Berwick Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Children’s Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Hampshire County Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in children's services. Show us you’re not just a candidate but a thought leader who’s ready to tackle the challenges head-on!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to convey your vision for Hampshire's Children’s Services clearly and confidently. We recommend rehearsing with a friend or mentor to get feedback.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Children’s Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Director of Children's Services role. Highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams and managing substantial budgets, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Vision: We want to see your vision for Hampshire's Children's Services! Share your thoughts on how you would navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by devolution and local government reorganisation. This will show us you're forward-thinking and ready for transformative change.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas effectively. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this pivotal role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Berwick Partners
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Hampshire's Children’s Services and the challenges they face. Brush up on recent developments in SEND and home to school transport, as well as the budgetary aspects of the role. This will show that you’re not just interested in the position but are genuinely invested in the future of the services.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through transformative change. Highlight your experience in managing substantial budgets and navigating complex challenges. The interviewers will want to see that you can inspire and guide a talented team while maintaining high service standards.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to forge strong relationships with partners and stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you’ve collaborated effectively across organisational boundaries. This is crucial for the role, so be ready to discuss how you can enhance these partnerships in Hampshire.
✨Be Visionary
Articulate your vision for the future of Children’s Services in Hampshire. Discuss how you plan to uphold quality service delivery while embracing change. Show that you have the foresight and innovative ideas to lead the organisation into its next chapter, making it clear that you’re the right fit for this pivotal role.
