Service Director - Children\'s Social Care

Job Title: Service Director – Children's Social Care

Location: Hybrid in East of England

Working Hours: Monday to Friday – 37 hours

Type: Temporary role up to 6 months

Opus People Solutions has partnered with a local authority in the East of England seeking an experienced Service Director in Children’s Social Care.

About the Role

Are you an experienced Service Director looking for a new challenge?

We are seeking a Service Director responsible for the leadership and management of the Social Care function. This role includes taking a full leadership position within the Children, Education, and Families Management Team to ensure children’s needs are met across the full spectrum of intervention and prevention services. You will also be expected to collaborate across the Children, Education, and Families directorates, ensuring Social Care is fully integrated with other areas of the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Targeted Support, MASH, Assessment, and Family Safeguarding and Support services for Children’s Social Care.
• Deputise for the Director of Children’s Services as needed, working across Children, Education, and Families Services, and collaborating closely with Chief Officers and elected Councillors on the whole service agenda.
• Effectively lead the Council’s Achieving Outstanding Plan to raise the quality of practice in Social Care and multi-agency partnerships, ensuring Social Care is a high-performing service.
• Attend and be accountable for reporting to the Tackling Inequalities Committee, Corporate Parenting Panel, All Party Policy Forum, and other relevant Council meetings.
• Ensure staff compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures, maintaining the highest standards of practice.
• Act as the Safeguarding lead for the authority and as the designated Officer for the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
• Work closely with schools and Head Teachers to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
• Be a key member of the Directorate Management Team, responsible for the overall Children’s Services budget of approximately £7 million.
• Designated officer for the Community Safety Partnerships/Domestic Violence Strategic Board, MARU Board, CPP, and Youth Offending Service Board