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- Tasks: Lead evidence-based decision-making to improve children's services in Wokingham.
- Company: Wokingham Borough Council, a forward-thinking local authority.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, free gym, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives through innovative evidence-led practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in evidence-based practice and strategic leadership.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 57000 ÂŁ per year.
Help us put the best evidence into practice—locally, thoughtfully, and with impact. We’re seeking an experienced, strategic Evidence & Practice Lead to drive evidence-informed decision-making across Children’s Services in Wokingham. You’ll work at the heart of our system—advising senior leaders and partners, shaping locally relevant research and tools, and championing a culture where data, insight, and lived experience combine to improve outcomes for children and families.
What You’ll Do
- Advise senior leaders & partners on increasing evidence use and embedding evidence-based practice—tailored to Wokingham’s diverse socio-economic and demographic profile, changing population, and areas of specific need.
- Design and deliver localised research & evidence products to address gaps across the Children’s Services system, translating insights into delivery plans and service improvements.
- Provide system leadership to embed evidence-use across Children’s Services and multi-agency partnerships, building capability and setting standards.
- Champion evidence-led practice, empowering leaders and teams to critically engage with research and make informed decisions.
- Work in partnership with Foundations (the Government-appointed What Works Centre for Children & Families) to implement locally relevant recommendations from Practice Guides and the Foundations Guidebook.
- Collaborate across Insight & Intelligence, Strategy, Transformation & Commissioning, and Public Health to apply evidence in the design and delivery of effective services.
- Build communities of practice and use events, webinars, and networks to promote best practice, share learning across neighbouring authorities, and contribute to regional/national knowledge exchange.
- Integrate local insights and data—including Wokingham’s JSNA, feedback from children and families, and demand/trend analysis—into commissioning and the selection of evidence-based interventions.
Why Wokingham?
- Generous Annual Leave - 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
- Employee Assistance Programme – Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
- Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
- Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
- Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
- Move through Menopause Course
- Sports & Social Group Activities - Including running, football, cricket & more
- Learning & Development Opportunities
- Employee Networks
- And more!
Join a forward-thinking council that values insight, innovation, and partnership. You’ll have the autonomy to shape the evidence agenda locally, the support of dedicated teams across the system, and the opportunity to make a measurable difference to children’s lives.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact: Jonathan.wilding@wokingham.gov.uk
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Local Evidence Lead, Children\'s Services in Wokingham employer: Children's Social Care, Wokingham
Contact Detail:
Children's Social Care, Wokingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Local Evidence Lead, Children\'s Services in Wokingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of children's services, especially those connected to Wokingham Borough Council. Attend local events or webinars to make connections and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's recent initiatives and challenges in children's services. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your understanding of the local context.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Local Evidence Lead. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully used evidence to drive decision-making.
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Wokingham Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Local Evidence Lead, Children\'s Services in Wokingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Local Evidence Lead. We want to see how you can drive evidence-informed decision-making in Children’s Services, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant examples!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your written application, emphasise your strategic approach to embedding evidence-based practice. We’re looking for someone who can advise senior leaders and partners effectively, so share any past experiences where you’ve successfully influenced decision-making.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Collaboration is key in this role! Make sure to mention any experience you have working with multi-agency partnerships or building communities of practice. We want to know how you’ve engaged others to promote best practices and share learning.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love detail, clarity is crucial. Ensure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon. Remember, we want to understand your qualifications and passion for the role at a glance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Children's Social Care, Wokingham
✨Know Your Evidence
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest research and evidence-based practices relevant to children's services. Familiarise yourself with local data, such as Wokingham’s JSNA, and be ready to discuss how you can apply this knowledge to improve outcomes for children and families.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to advise senior leaders and partners on evidence use. Think about past experiences where you’ve successfully implemented evidence-informed decision-making and how you tailored your approach to meet specific needs.
✨Engage with Local Context
Understand Wokingham’s socio-economic and demographic profile. Be prepared to discuss how you would design and deliver localised research and evidence products that address gaps in the Children’s Services system, showing that you can think critically about local challenges.
✨Highlight Collaboration Skills
This role requires working across various teams and agencies. Prepare to talk about your experience in building communities of practice and how you’ve previously collaborated with different stakeholders to promote best practices and share learning.
