At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a transformative programme to enhance services for vulnerable children and families.
- Company: Forward-thinking Local Authority in South West England.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and impactful leadership role.
- Other info: Immediate interviews and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while driving meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in Programme Management within Children’s Services or Social Care.
We’re supporting a forward-thinking Local Authority in the South West to appoint an experienced Programme Manager to lead a high-profile transformation programme within Children’s Services. This is a key leadership role focused on redesigning services that support vulnerable children and families, helping reduce reliance on residential care while improving outcomes across the system.
The successful candidate will lead a complex multi-workstream programme involving fostering, residential care, sufficiency planning, operational transformation, and stakeholder engagement across senior leadership teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead delivery of a large-scale Children’s Services transformation programme
- Coordinate multiple interdependent workstreams across social care and commissioning
- Drive service redesign initiatives focused on improving outcomes for children and families
- Work closely with senior leaders, operational teams, and elected members
- Support transformation of fostering and residential care pathways
- Ensure programme governance, benefits realisation, and delivery milestones are achieved
- Help shape sustainable operating models and long-term service improvements
About You
We’re looking for an experienced interim leader with:
- Strong Programme Management experience within Children’s Services or Children’s Social Care
- A track record delivering transformation within Local Government
- Experience across fostering, placements, residential care, safeguarding, or permanence services
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience engaging with Directors and senior executives
- The ability to lead change within complex public sector environments
- Strong commercial and financial awareness, ideally including savings or efficiency programmes
Additional Information
- Hybrid working model – majority office-based presence required
- Enhanced DBS required
- Inside IR35
- Interviews taking place imminently
If you’re an experienced change leader passionate about improving outcomes for children and families, we’d love to hear from you.
Programme Manager – Children’s Services Transformation in Plymouth employer: SOLOS Consultants Ltd
Join a progressive Local Authority in the South West, where your expertise as a Programme Manager will directly impact the lives of vulnerable children and families. With a strong commitment to employee development and a collaborative work culture, this role offers the unique opportunity to lead transformative initiatives while enjoying a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Be part of a team dedicated to making meaningful changes in Children’s Services, supported by a leadership that values innovation and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager – Children’s Services Transformation in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the local authority or children's services sector. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the specific challenges facing children's services in the South West. Show that you understand the landscape and have ideas on how to tackle these issues. This will demonstrate your commitment and expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of your past successes in programme management and transformation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them memorable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream role.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager – Children’s Services Transformation in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Programme Manager in Children’s Services. Highlight your relevant experience in transformation and programme management, especially within local government. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about improving outcomes for children and families. Share specific examples of your past successes in similar roles and how they relate to the challenges we face in this position.
Showcase Stakeholder Engagement Skills:Since this role involves working closely with senior leaders and operational teams, make sure to highlight your stakeholder management experience. We want to know how you've successfully engaged with directors and executives in the past, so don’t hold back on those details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SOLOS Consultants Ltd
✨Know Your Programme Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your programme management skills, especially in the context of Children’s Services. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led transformation initiatives and improved outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in stakeholder management. Think of instances where you've successfully engaged with senior leaders and operational teams. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships across different levels of an organisation.
✨Demonstrate Your Change Leadership
Be ready to showcase your leadership style and how it has driven change in complex public sector environments. Share stories that illustrate your approach to leading multi-workstream programmes and how you've navigated challenges in the past.
✨Understand the Local Authority Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current issues and trends in local government, particularly around Children’s Services. Showing that you understand the landscape will demonstrate your commitment and readiness to hit the ground running in this role.
