At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative services for children and young people in care, ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Company: Dudley Council, committed to improving life chances for children and young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to positive change and community impact.
- Why this job: Be a visionary leader shaping the future of children's services in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in children's services and a passion for social care.
The predicted salary is between 108015 - 118680 £ per year.
Salary: £108,015 - £118,680 (pay award pending)
Location: Dudley, West Midlands – hybrid
Contract: Permanent, full time
Are you an inspirational, values‑driven leader with a passion for improving the life chances for children and young people? Dudley Council is embarking on a bold and ambitious transformation journey, and we are seeking a visionary Associate Director – Children’s Provider Services to play a central role in shaping the future of our support to children and young people in care across our borough.
This is a pivotal senior leadership position at the heart of our Children and Young People service. You will be collaborating closely with the Associate Director for Family Help and Safeguarding to deliver services to the children and young people who need our support.
In this strategic leadership role, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership, professional accountability, and operational oversight for services that safeguard, support and improve outcomes for children in care and care‑experienced young people.
- Be responsible for ensuring that children who cannot live with their families experience safe, loving, stable and aspirational care, with a clear focus on permanence, sufficiency, quality of practice and achieving the best possible outcomes. This includes a strong drive to support more children to remain connected to, and cared for within, their home communities wherever it is safe to do so.
- Have a proven track record of developing children’s residential provision and fostering services at pace, alongside the ability to lead complex change, mature commissioning arrangements, and deliver improvement and financial sustainability within a demanding statutory environment.
Who we’re looking for:
- A strategic, politically astute leader with a track record of delivering transformation in complex organisations.
- Someone who inspires teams, builds strong partnerships, understands all legislation relating to Children’s Social Care in relation to children in care, fostering and adoption, and brings energy, integrity and ambition.
For an informal discussion please contact John Macilwraith, Director of Children & Young People, via Alia Siddique.
Applications close: Midnight Sunday 7th June 2026
Please submit your CV and supporting statement with your application. Your supporting statement should be arial 12 and no more than 4 pages.
Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro‑rata) or onsite full time.
Associate Director - Provider Services, Children and Young People employer: Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Join our dedicated team at Dudley's Best Start Family Hubs, where we prioritise a supportive and collaborative work culture that empowers Family Support Workers to make a real difference in the lives of children and families. We offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring you grow professionally while working alongside passionate colleagues committed to delivering effective early help interventions. Enjoy the unique advantage of working within a community-focused environment that values your contributions and fosters sustainable change.
Contact Details:
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Provider Services, Children and Young People
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Provider Services, Children and Young People
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
