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- Tasks: Lead and transform Children's Services in Hampshire, ensuring quality and sustainability.
- Company: Hampshire County Council, a top-performing authority with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £185k, hybrid working arrangements, and impactful leadership role.
- Why this job: Shape the future of children's services during transformative times and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Visionary leader with experience in managing high-performing organisations and substantial budgets.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to delivering outstanding services for children and families.
The predicted salary is between 148000 - 222000 £ per year.
Hampshire is a fantastic county, home to an increasingly diverse population with justifiably high expectations of their political leaders and public servants. The County Council is, and has been, consistently one of the top performing authorities in the Country in all key areas of service delivery across all externally validated measures.
Not least, Hampshire's Children's Services have been judged as Outstanding on two consecutive occasions since 2019. It is a well-led organisation with an eye to the future and an enduring commitment to delivering vital services to the residents of Hampshire.
The County Council is hugely ambitious for the future but also retains a dedicated focus on the importance of upholding quality service delivery for today. Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation present a unique opportunity to secure the best possible outcomes for all of Hampshire's residents.
For Children's Services, this means ensuring excellent services during a period of significant change and transformation. The scale of the system is significant, with 550 schools and budgetary accountability of £500m. The challenges facing the sector nationally are ever present in Hampshire, with SEND and home to school transport pressures well recognised and addressed.
Across the directorate, services are well-led and managed, well-regarded by children, young people and their families, and relationships with partners are constructive. This means a professionally qualified and forward thinking Director of Children's Services is essential to lead the Directorate and its workforce as it navigates these major changes.
As DCS, you will ensure the quality and sustainability of core services, provide leadership across the system and hold and develop key relationships with our partners and stakeholders in the face of change and degrees of uncertainty. As a CMT member, you will make a full contribution to the leadership of the County Council and be skilled at working beyond directorate and organisational boundaries.
Critical to this is that excellent services endure and form a key component of a public service system that is fit for future purpose. You will bring the exceptional ability to lead high-performing organisations through periods of transformative change, leveraging the strengths of a talented team while effectively managing a substantial budget amidst evolving challenges and financial pressures within the sector and system.
Irrespective of where you are now, you will be a visionary leader with the foresight, experience and leadership attributes to guide Hampshire's Children's Services through ambitious and transformative times. This is a pivotal role at a critical moment to shape the future of Hampshire.
To find out more about this exceptional role, please speak with our advisor at Berwick Partners - Jonathan Clark.
Closing date for applications: 5pm 13th February 2026.
Director of Children\'s Services in Winchester employer: Local Government Chronicle
Contact Detail:
Local Government Chronicle Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Children\'s Services in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Hampshire County Council. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in children's services. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but a thought leader ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to convey your vision and leadership style clearly. We want to see how you can inspire others and lead through change.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Children\'s Services in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Director of Children's Services role. Highlight your experience in leading transformative change and managing substantial budgets, as these are key aspects we're looking for.
Showcase Your Vision: We want to see your vision for Hampshire's Children's Services! Use your written application to demonstrate how you plan to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Be bold and articulate your ideas clearly.
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key messages stand out. This will help us understand your qualifications and fit for the role quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all the necessary information and helps streamline the process for both you and us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Local Government Chronicle
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Hampshire's Children’s Services and its recent achievements. Familiarise yourself with the challenges facing the sector, especially around SEND and home to school transport. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also invested in the community.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through transformative change. Highlight your experience in managing substantial budgets and navigating financial pressures. This is crucial for a role that demands visionary leadership and the ability to inspire others.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to forge strong partnerships with stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you’ve collaborated effectively across organisational boundaries. This will illustrate your readiness to work within a complex public service system.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the future direction of Hampshire’s Children’s Services. Inquire about their strategies for maintaining quality service delivery amidst change. This shows your proactive mindset and genuine interest in contributing to the council’s ambitious goals.
