At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and transformation for children's services in Milton Keynes.
- Company: Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to improving community services.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, excellent pension, family-friendly policies, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives through meaningful projects and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and experience in children's services or public sector planning.
The predicted salary is between 46380 - 56686 £ per year.
Location: Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Closing Date: 16/08/2026
Job Category: Children's Services
Service Area: Children's Services - Sufficiency, Access and Attendance
Package Description:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs. Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week. The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.
Job Introduction:
We’re recruiting a Children’s Services Planning and Transformation Lead to join our Children's Services Planning and Transformation team. Our Children's Services Planning and Transformation team works across education, childcare and children's social care to ensure Milton Keynes has the right services, provision and support available for children, young people and families, both now and in the future. We use data, market analysis and strategic planning to identify needs, deliver improvement and transformation projects, and secure the resources required to meet statutory duties and growing demand. Our work helps ensure children can access high-quality education, childcare and care placements locally, while making sure public funding is used effectively. By planning ahead and driving positive change, we support better outcomes for children and young people across Milton Keynes.
As Children’s Services Planning and Transformation Lead, you’ll play a central role within the team, leading strategic planning and transformation activity that helps shape the future of services across the city. Working closely with colleagues, partners and providers, you'll use evidence and insight to inform decision making, identify future service needs and develop sustainable solutions that support children, young people and families. Your work will influence how services are planned, commissioned and delivered across education, childcare, care placements and wider children's services provision. This is a rewarding opportunity to lead meaningful projects that help ensure the right support is available in the right place at the right time, while delivering value for local communities and making the best use of public resources.
If you're looking for a role where strategic thinking, partnership working and transformation can have a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, this is the role for you. This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home‑based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site. Interviews for this role will be held on 27th August 2026.
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead high-quality analysis of local needs, trends and service demands to inform strategic planning and future provision across Children’s Services.
- Support the development of transformation projects that improve services, deliver efficiencies and help meet statutory sufficiency duties.
- Work collaboratively to identify opportunities for new provision, service improvements and sustainable solutions alongside partners and stakeholders.
- Ensure effective planning and management of funding, budgets and resources linked to transformation programmes and service development.
- Take responsibility for coordinating complex projects, monitoring progress and managing risks to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Contribute to the leadership of the service by supporting colleagues, promoting continuous improvement and helping deliver council priorities.
Ideal Candidate:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent with a relevant professional qualification and substantial experience within children’s services, education, public sector planning or service improvement.
- You bring strong knowledge of national and local policy relating to children’s services and an ability to translate this into practical action.
- Experience in leading significant change programmes demonstrates your ability to plan effectively, manage risks and deliver results.
- Your ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders enables you to build positive relationships and achieve shared goals.
- A strong understanding of market analysis, commissioning, procurement or option appraisal will help you make informed recommendations.
- Confidence when leading colleagues, managing workloads and supporting performance reflects our values of being Dedicated, Respectful and Collaborative.
About The Organisation:
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live. We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
Children’s Services Planning and Transformation Lead employer: MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
Stanton School is an excellent employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, making it an ideal place for individuals who are passionate about education and community. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and training, ensuring that our staff can thrive in their roles. Located within a vibrant school community, our Business Assistant position not only provides meaningful work but also the chance to contribute to the success of our students and the wider community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Services Planning and Transformation Lead
✨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 MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES 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 Children’s Services Planning and Transformation Lead
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 MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to MILTON KEYNES 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 MILTON KEYNES 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.
