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- Tasks: Lead transformative services for children and families, enhancing community partnerships.
- Company: Sandwell Council, dedicated to empowering communities and improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape a child-friendly borough and drive positive change for young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning and a passion for children's services.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and community empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Enabling People, Empowering Communities, Enhancing Places. Sandwell’s story is one of potential and striving to realise the ambitions of our borough, our residents and communities. We have been through a period of significant challenge including government intervention, but through determination and our drive for excellence, we look to the future with pride and a sense of purpose. While we have come so far, there is more to do; breaking down silos, embedding our values across the organisation, and ensuring that we continue to transform to deliver the best services for residents.
Created 50 years ago from six proud towns, each unique but united by a shared identity and rich culture, Sandwell is a place built on making things happen, and where children, young people and families have the best opportunity to thrive. Following a restructure across the organisation, including within children’s and education services, we have created three new posts within the directorate, including this role, leading a major portfolio including our relationship with Sandwell Children’s Trust, strategic commissioning of adoption and fostering services, and strengthening partnerships across the borough.
You will lead universal preventative services including family hubs, youth and play services, supporting those children and families who need our help. We are developing a child friendly borough, where young people are at the heart of decision making, service design and delivery. Children’s services in Sandwell are ‘Good’ (Ofsted inspection 2025), and you will play a key role within the authority, working in partnership, to ensure that we continue to improve.
You will also lead core functions including client services, participation and engagement, governance, data and intelligence, shape commissioning strategies and develop joint investment plans that champion the voice of children and families.
We are looking for a visionary and credible senior leader with substantial experience in commissioning within a children’s services context, a strong track record in service transformation, excellent partnership development skills and a deep commitment to making a difference for the children, young people and families of Sandwell. If you are driven by improvement and ready to make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.
Service Director - Commissioning and Partnerships (Children & Education) employer: Healthcare Management
Contact Detail:
Healthcare Management Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Director - Commissioning and Partnerships (Children & Education)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission to empower communities and enhance places, so you can show how your vision aligns with theirs. Tailor your responses to highlight your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in commissioning and partnerships, as well as your passion for children's services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to support children and families in Sandwell.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Director - Commissioning and Partnerships (Children & Education)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Service Director role. Highlight your experience in commissioning and partnerships, and how it aligns with our mission to empower communities and enhance services for children and families.
Showcase Your Vision: We want to see your vision for transforming children's services! Share your ideas on how you would lead initiatives that support young people and families in Sandwell. This is your chance to demonstrate your commitment to making a real impact.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your achievements and experiences. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
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 exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Healthcare Management
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Service Director - Commissioning and Partnerships. Familiarise yourself with Sandwell’s current challenges and successes in children’s services, especially the recent Ofsted inspection results. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for transforming services in Sandwell. Think about how you can break down silos and enhance partnerships. Be ready to share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead change and improve outcomes for children and families.
✨Engage with the Values
Sandwell is all about community and empowerment. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs. During the interview, weave in stories that highlight your commitment to these principles, showing that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for the culture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation. Inquire about their strategic goals for children’s services or how they measure success in partnerships. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.