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- Tasks: Lead transformative change in Children's Services and ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Company: Hampshire County Council, a top-performing authority with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Children's Services and make a real difference in the community.
- Qualifications: Visionary leadership experience and ability to manage substantial budgets.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to delivering outstanding services amidst significant change.
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 consistently one of the top performing authorities in the country in all key areas of service delivery across all externally validated measures. 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.
Director of Children\'s Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements[...] in London 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[...] in London
✨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 might just set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews 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 facing Hampshire's children and families head-on.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to convey your vision for the role clearly and confidently. We recommend rehearsing with a friend or mentor to get feedback and refine your message.
✨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 Children\'s Services, Hampshire County Council, Winchester (with hybrid arrangements[...] in London
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 transformative change 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 ideas on how you would navigate the challenges facing the sector and ensure quality service delivery. This will help us understand your forward-thinking approach.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your achievements and leadership style. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your strengths.
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 council's ambitious plans for the future. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams through transformative change. Be ready to discuss how you've managed substantial budgets and navigated financial pressures in previous roles. This is crucial for demonstrating your fit for the Director position.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you can foster constructive relationships with partners and stakeholders. Prepare to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you’ve successfully worked beyond organisational boundaries in the past. This will be key in showing you can lead effectively in a complex environment.
✨Be Visionary
Articulate your vision for the future of Children’s Services in Hampshire. Think about innovative ideas you could bring to the table and how you would ensure quality service delivery amidst change. This will help you stand out as a forward-thinking candidate who aligns with the council's ambitions.
