At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape services for children in care, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Company: Hull City Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture focused on diversity, equality, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and drive meaningful change in the community.
- Qualifications: Master’s level qualification, Social Work registration, and extensive leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 111872 - 111872 £ per year.
Hull City Council is looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting within our Children, Young People and Families Directorate. This is an exciting and new opportunity to shape the future of children in our care and our care leavers across the city. As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will drive our ambition for every child to thrive, championing a strong child‑centred culture and ensuring that the voices of children and families are integral to everything we do.
About the Role
In this role, you will provide strategic leadership for all children looked after and care leaver services, including our regulated children’s homes, supported accommodation, fostering and adoption provision.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of Corporate Parenting services, ensuring excellence and aspiration for every child
- Influence policy and practice at local, regional and national levels, working with Government departments, Ofsted, Health, Police and wider partners
- Act as a visible, compassionate and ambitious leader, modelling strengths‑based practice and a culture of high support and high expectations
- Oversee a budget of £38.5 million and lead approximately 370 FTE colleagues across the service
- Ensure organisational readiness for all statutory inspections and compliance with safeguarding duties
- Represent the Council in key forums, strengthening relationships with Elected Members, partners, external agencies and the community
- Be part of the Council’s emergency response rota under the Civil Contingencies Act
What We’re Looking For
Essential Qualifications & Professional Standing
- A recognised professional or managerial qualification (Master’s level or above)
- A Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- A commitment to continuous professional development
Experience You Will Bring
- Extensive senior leadership experience improving outcomes for children and families within a large, complex organisation
- A track record of driving service improvement and cultural change
- Strong political awareness and experience working effectively with Elected Members
- Expertise in partnership working, commissioning, and delivering high‑quality services across agencies
- Significant financial and resource management experience
- Demonstrable success leading multi‑disciplinary teams at scale
Skills & Leadership Qualities
- A compelling, credible leadership style that inspires trust and excellence
- Ability to think strategically, influence across systems and translate vision into action
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and relationship‑building skills
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to deliver innovative solutions to complex issues
- Child‑centred, relational and strengths‑based approach
Our Values
People First | Respect | Learning | Ambition | Partnership. These underpin how we work with children, families, partners and colleagues across the city.
Why Hull?
Hull is a place of strong identity, community pride and ambition for its children. With major investment across Children’s Services, this is an opportunity to be at the forefront of meaningful, lasting change and to make a difference that matters.
Benefits of Working at Hull City Council
- A competitive salary
- An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off, one in May/August and one in the Christmas/New year period
- Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
- Supportive and forward‑thinking culture
- Great career development opportunities
Contact
Hiring manager: Pauline Turner
Contact number: 01482 616325 x6325
Closing date: 9 June 2026
Proposed interview date: 15 July 2026
We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage. We are committed to increasing the diversity, equality, and inclusion within our workforce to represent the people we serve and build an environment in which everyone can feel like they belong. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting employer: Community Care Live
Contact Detail:
Community Care Live Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Hull City Council. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Hull City Council’s values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for the culture. Tailor your examples to highlight how your experience aligns with their mission of putting children first.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you’ve driven service improvements in the past. This will help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s another chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for improving outcomes for children and families shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours, so don’t hold back on sharing your motivation for this role!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your extensive senior leadership experience and any relevant achievements in your application. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive service improvement and cultural change.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your skills and experiences, as we appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
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 exciting opportunity to make a difference in Hull.
How to prepare for a job interview at Community Care Live
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand Hull City Council's values and the specific responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting role. Familiarise yourself with current policies affecting children in care and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to improve outcomes for children and families.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to articulate your leadership approach, especially how you inspire trust and excellence within teams. Think of examples where you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams or driven cultural change, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for a compelling leader.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Prepare scenarios where you've influenced policy or improved service delivery, particularly in complex environments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Demonstrate your passion for child-centred practices by discussing how you would champion the voices of children and families in your decision-making. Show that you’re not just about managing services but are genuinely invested in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve.