Head of Children & Family Social Care in Barnsley

In Barnsley we believe in working collaboratively with our families and are excited about becoming a sign of safety local authority. When you join us, you can come on this exciting journey with us and have access to a full suite of development and training opportunities. We are an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ Children’s Services and a double award‑winning, high‑performing council with a growing economy, a thriving town centre and some truly impressive outcomes in our communities.

Our excellent Children’s Services has been a key part of our win; we’re so proud of what we’ve achieved not just for the council but for our partners and Barnsley. It’s the perfect time to join our excellent team.

An opportunity has arisen to join our Children and Family Social Care Service. We are seeking a highly ambitious leader who will work collaboratively and strategically to deliver outstanding social work services to children, young people and their families. Creativity, ambition and a focus on people. That’s what matters at Barnsley Council. Our award‑winning council is on an exciting journey of change. It’s all about putting local people at the heart of everything, listening to and doing good for our communities.

Your role in our journey: As a Head of Service Children & Family Social Care, you’ll provide senior strategic and operational leadership across defined areas of the services, taking a lead role in the development and implementation of services and strategies which promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people across the borough. You will have responsibility for maintaining high performance and driving forward continual improvement in our social work teams.

You will be an outstanding individual who understands the value of social work practice and who has substantial experience of delivering first class services to children, young people and their families. You will provide support to the Service Director and develop operational relationships, shaping the right services and outcomes for them. This post will have responsibility for our Children & Family Social Care services which includes Children in Need, Children Subject to Child Protection Plans and Court work as well as the responsibility of the Disabled Children Service. Within the service we have a comprehensive management structure that includes both Service and Team Managers. You will join a skilled, enthusiastic and committed Senior Leadership Team.

What You’ll Need: To join us, you’ll need to be educated to degree level or equivalent plus registration with Social Work England as a social worker. You will have relevant experience of working within the statutory, regulatory and inspection regimes of the public sector. You’ll certainly bring to the role a sound understanding of the legislative and policy framework around providing services to children, families and young people, CiN, Child Protection and Children in Care services. You will also have extensive professional knowledge of social work processes and interventions.

Naturally, you’ll demonstrate what it takes to communicate at service manager or equivalent level of operational management in a large agency or organisation relevant to the provision of social care services for children, young people, families and adults. Crucially, you are determined to anticipate and plan for future developments and options and demonstrate a passion for improving outcomes.

For more information, please see our website: Barnsley Council

Please note that interviews for this role will take place on Thursday 28th May. For an informal discussion, contact Matthew Boud, Service Director (matthewboud@barnsley.gov.uk).