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- Tasks: Lead strategic development and delivery of children's social care services.
- Company: Join Rochdale Borough Council's visionary leadership team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with senior leadership experience and knowledge of childcare legislation.
- Other info: Work in a modern building with excellent transport links and a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 74000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £64,969 plus £10,000 annual Market Factor Supplement
Full-time | 2 Posts Available
Join Rochdale's Visionary Leadership Team
We are delighted to announce two exciting opportunities to join Rochdale Borough Council as Strategic Heads of Service within Children’s Social Care. These pivotal roles 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, 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.
- Strategic Head of Service - Family Help Responsible for EHASH, Specialist Services (NEST, Frontline, CWD), and Family Help Teams, supporting the transition to the Family First initiative.
- Strategic Head of Service - Corporate Parenting Responsible for Cared for Children Teams, Residential Services, and Fostering Services.
Key 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.
About You
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.
Assessment & Interview
Candidates will be required to complete a short assessment exercise on the day of the interview and present to the panel. A young person’s panel will also form part of the selection process. Interviews will take place at Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU on Tuesday, 9th December 2025.
Why Rochdale?
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
Appointment to this post is subject to Enhanced Child workforce DBS and background checks. Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this in your application.
Interested? To discuss the roles further, please contact: Abu Siddique, Assistant Director Children’s Social Care - Abu.Siddique@Rochdale.Gov.UK
Strategic Head of Service in Rochdale employer: Rochdale Council
Contact Detail:
Rochdale 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 have insights into Rochdale Borough Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the assessment exercise! Brush up on your knowledge of childcare legislation and be ready to showcase your leadership skills. Practising with mock scenarios can help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for innovation and collaboration during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've driven service transformation in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the role, but a perfect match for their culture.
✨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 the initiative to engage directly with us.
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 vision and values.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments, especially in social care settings. This will help us understand how you can inspire and motivate others.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your strengths.
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 Rochdale Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of childcare legislation and national strategies. 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 you motivated your team to overcome them. This is crucial for a role that requires visible and motivational leadership.
✨Engage with the Young Person's Panel
Since a young person's panel will be part of the selection process, think about how you can connect with them. Be ready to listen and respond to their perspectives, showing that you value their input and understand their needs.
✨Prepare for the Assessment Exercise
Don't forget about the assessment exercise on interview day! Practise presenting your ideas clearly and concisely. This is your chance to demonstrate your strategic thinking and how you would approach service transformation in children's social care.
