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- Tasks: Lead and transform Children's Services in Hampshire, ensuring quality and sustainability.
- Company: Hampshire County Council, a top-performing authority with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £185k, hybrid working arrangements, and impactful leadership opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of children's services during transformative times in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Visionary leader with experience in managing high-performing organisations and substantial budgets.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team focused on delivering vital services to a diverse community.
The predicted salary is between 108000 - 162000 £ 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.
Closing date for applications: 5:00pm 13th February 2026.
Locations
Director of Childrens Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements), 185k (Winchester) employer: Berwick Partners
Contact Detail:
Berwick Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Childrens Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements), 185k (Winchester)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Hampshire County Council. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and decision-makers. A personal connection can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in children's services and the specific challenges Hampshire is facing. Show that you’re not just a candidate but a thought leader who can navigate through transformative changes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the role of Director of Children's Services. Highlight your leadership experience and how you can contribute to maintaining the outstanding reputation of Hampshire's services.
✨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 job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Childrens Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements), 185k (Winchester)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for children's services shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families in Hampshire.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience that aligns with the job description. We’re looking for someone who can lead through change, so share specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key messages stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this pivotal role in shaping the future of Hampshire's Children's Services.
How to prepare for a job interview at Berwick Partners
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Hampshire's current challenges and successes, especially in Children's Services. Familiarise yourself with recent reports and statistics that highlight the council's achievements and areas for improvement. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through change. Think about specific situations where you’ve navigated challenges, managed budgets, or improved service delivery. Be ready to discuss your vision for leading Children's Services in Hampshire and how you plan to maintain high standards during transformative times.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working with various partners and stakeholders, be prepared to discuss how you’ve built and maintained relationships in previous roles. Highlight your collaborative approach and any successful partnerships you've fostered that led to positive outcomes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions that demonstrate your strategic thinking. Inquire about the council's plans for addressing SEND pressures or how they envision the future of Children's Services amidst local government changes. This shows you’re not just interested in the role but also in the broader context of the organisation.
