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- Tasks: Lead strategic development and delivery of services for children and families.
- Company: Rochdale Borough Council, known for innovative work in children's social care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people while shaping impactful services.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with senior leadership experience and knowledge of childcare legislation.
- Other info: Join a supportive team in a modern, award-winning building with excellent transport links.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity to join Rochdale Borough Council as Strategic Head of Service (Corporate Parenting) within Children's Social Care with responsibility for Cared for Children & Cared Experienced Young People, Residential Services, and Fostering & Adoption Services. This pivotal role will shape and lead the strategic development and delivery of services that safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and their families. Rochdale is nationally recognised for its innovative and impactful work with children and families with OFSTED recognising our ambitions for children and families in Rochdale as part of a recent focus visit. Our strong partnerships and pioneering Family Safeguarding Model place relationships at the heart of our practice. We are proud of our culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
The Opportunity: As Strategic Head of Service for Corporate Parenting, you will work closely with the Assistant Director of Children's Social Care to ensure the effective delivery of high-quality services. You will lead strategic planning, drive service transformation, and collaborate with key stakeholders to deliver integrated, outcome-focused support for children and families. You will also be a key member of the Children's Services Senior Management Team, helping to shape services in response to national and local policy developments.
Responsibilities
- System Leadership: Drive strategic alignment with national policy and local priorities, ensuring services reflect the Council's vision.
- Quality of Practice: Embed evidence-based, trauma-informed, and relational practice across all services, fostering a culture of high performance and innovation.
- Communication & Engagement: Provide visible, motivational leadership that inspires teams and promotes continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
- Managing Resources: Build a confident, capable, and resilient workforce through ethical leadership, reflective supervision, and professional development.
- Quality Assurance & Performance Management: Contribute to strategic planning and delivery of key service plans, including the Children's Services Plan.
- Organisational Development: Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion across all services, ensuring timely completion of Equality Impact Assessments and action plans.
You will be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with a strong track record in senior leadership and management. You will bring:
- In-depth knowledge of childcare legislation, national strategies, and emerging policy developments.
- Proven ability to lead in complex, high-pressure environments.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and service excellence.
Salary and Values
Salary: Up to £64,969 plus £10,000 annual Market Factor Supplement. We are proud of our values:
- Proud of the difference we make
- Passionate about the diversity of our Borough
- Pioneering and open in our approach
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Rochdale Borough Council is part of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment, recognising continuous service across GM local authorities and partner organisations. We reward you with great benefits:
- Highly competitive salary with an opportunity to earn up to £1,000 extra, every year (£500 retention payment every six months)
- Green fleet car scheme with NHS Fleet solutions
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Staff recognition awards and celebration events
- Mileage payment and town centre parking scheme
- Up to 34 days annual leave with an option to buy more
- Paid for Social Work England professional fees
- Staff discount at popular retail and leisure sites
Other benefits
- Work in a modern, award-winning building
- Be conveniently located next to the Metrolink, bus exchange and a short walk from Rochdale train station
- You're also a 10-minute drive from the M62 corridor
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Rochdale Borough Council is part of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment, recognising continuous service across GM local authorities and partner organisations.
Strategic Head of Service in Rochdale employer: Rochdale Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Rochdale Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Head of Service in Rochdale
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector, especially those who might know someone at Rochdale Borough Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the council's recent initiatives and OFSTED reports. Show us that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about their mission and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences in driving service transformation and managing teams. Use the STAR method to structure your answers and keep it engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Head of Service in Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Strategic Head of Service role. Highlight your experience in children's social care and how it aligns with Rochdale's values and innovative practices.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to inspire and manage teams effectively. Share examples of how you've driven service transformation and fostered a culture of high performance in previous roles.
Emphasise Your Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Rochdale values innovation and collaboration, so be sure to highlight your dedication to professional development and how you've implemented evidence-based practices in your work with children and families.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a seamless process. This way, you can ensure that all your details are captured correctly and you won’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rochdale Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on childcare legislation and national strategies relevant to the role. Being able to discuss recent policy developments will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but also engaged with current issues in children's social care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in high-pressure environments. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how your leadership made a difference. This is crucial for a role that requires driving service transformation and inspiring others.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to talk about your experience in building partnerships. Highlight instances where your collaborative approach has led to successful outcomes for children and families.
✨Align with Their Values
Rochdale Borough Council prides itself on its values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially around diversity, innovation, and making a difference. This will demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's culture.
