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- Tasks: Lead and innovate children's services, ensuring high-quality care and strategic development.
- Company: St Elizabeth's has over 120 years of experience supporting children with complex needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £104,000 salary, generous leave, healthcare, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while shaping the future of integrated care.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in children's services and a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation required.
- Other info: This role is on-site in Much Hadham; driving licence essential due to rural location.
The predicted salary is between 104000 - 104000 £ per year.
Director of Children\’s Services
Location:Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
Salary:£104,000 per annum
Contract:Full time | Permanent
Inspire potential. Champion change. Shape the future.
For more than 120 years, St Elizabeths has been supporting children and adults with complex needs to live life to the full. Today, we are one of the few UK charities to provide a truly integrated offer with education, residential care, therapies, and health services all co-located on one specialist campus.
Our 60-acre site in Much Hadham includes a school, FE college, seven Ofsted-registered childrens homes, adult supported living, and a CQC-registered health agency. Together, we support around 180 children and young people, many with severe epilepsy, learning disabilities, autism and associated conditions, providing not just care, but opportunity, aspiration, and community.
We are entering an exciting new chapter of development and growth. To achieve our ambitions, we are now seeking a visionaryDirector of Childrens Servicesto join our Executive Team.
The Role
This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive, with accountability for the strategic leadership and operational excellence of our childrens residential care and health services.
You will:
- Providestrategic leadershipacross seven Ofsted-registered childrens homes, ensuring they consistently deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred care.
- Lead our CQC-registeredHealth Agency(nursing, therapies, psychology and clinical services), driving integration and innovation to improve outcomes for children.
- Shape and deliver thelong-term visionfor childrens services, aligned with our organisational strategy and values.
- Ensureregulatory excellence, building strong, transparent relationships with Ofsted, CQC, commissioners and external partners.
- Act asDesignated Safeguarding Leadat Executive level, embedding a culture of vigilance, safety, and empowerment across all childrens services.
- Oversee theadmissions pipeline, working closely with local authorities and families to ensure St Elizabeths continues to meet demand and future need.
- Driveservice improvement and transformation, informed by best practice, evidence, and the voices of children, families and staff.
- Inspire, support and develop amulti-disciplinary workforceof over 200 colleagues, ensuring they are equipped, motivated and valued.
About You
You will bring a track record of senior leadership in childrens residential care, health, or social care services, with a strong grasp of regulatory frameworks and quality improvement. Specifically, you will have:
- Significant leadership experience inOfsted-regulated childrens provision, with demonstrable impact on outcomes and quality.
- A deep understanding ofsafeguarding legislationand experience of acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- The ability to leadmulti-disciplinary teamsacross care, health, and therapies, and to work in partnership with education colleagues.
- Strong skills instrategic planning, service design, and transformation, with evidence of successful innovation.
- Exceptional communication skills, enabling you to inspire teams, build trust with families, and influence commissioners and regulators.
Desirable:
- Experience of CQC-regulated health or therapy services.
- Familiarity with commissioning, contracting, and funding models.
- A professional qualification in social care, health, education or related discipline.
Above all, you will share our belief in the potential of every child, and will embody our values of beingAspirational, Joyful, Collaborative and Compassionate.
What We Offer
- Salary:£104,000 per annum plus £5,000 welcome bonus (T&Cs apply)
- Annual leave:30 days plus service-related increases
- Healthcare:Bupa private medical cover
- Pension:Generous contributory scheme
- Wellbeing:Employee assistance, free parking, subsidised meals, and a beautiful countryside campus
- Development:A culture that invests in leadership, professional growth, and continuous learning
- The opportunity to shape one of the UKs most distinctive models of integrated education, care and health provision
This is an on-site role based in Much Hadham. Due to our rural location, a driving licence and access to transport are essential.
Apply Now
This is more than a job its a chance to shape lives, influence practice nationally, and leave a lasting legacy.
If you are ready to lead with vision, compassion, and impact, we would love to hear from you. For a confidential conversation, please contact us.
Lead with vision. Transform with care. Join St Elizabeths and help children live life to the full.
#INDMGR
REF-223 802
Director of Children\'s Services in Much Hadham employer: St Elizabeth`s Centre
Contact Detail:
St Elizabeth`s Centre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Children\'s Services in Much Hadham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific regulatory frameworks that govern children's services, particularly those related to Ofsted and CQC. Understanding these regulations will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards in care.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in children's services or similar roles. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights into the role and may even lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your vision for children's services during the interview. Think about innovative ideas you could bring to the role and how they align with St Elizabeth's values. Being able to articulate a clear and inspiring vision will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style by providing examples of how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate staff, as well as your experience in driving service improvement and transformation.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Children\'s Services in Much Hadham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in children's services, particularly in leadership roles. Emphasise your achievements in Ofsted-regulated environments and any specific outcomes you've influenced.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for children's services and your alignment with the values of St Elizabeths. Discuss your vision for the role and how your experience can contribute to their mission.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams and driven service improvements. Highlight your strategic planning skills and any innovative practices you've implemented.
Demonstrate Understanding of Safeguarding: Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, ensure you articulate your understanding of safeguarding legislation and your experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead. This will show your commitment to child safety and welfare.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Elizabeth`s Centre
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with St Elizabeth's values: Aspirational, Joyful, Collaborative, and Compassionate. Be prepared to discuss how your leadership style aligns with these values and how you can embody them in your role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Highlight your previous experience in senior leadership roles within children's residential care or health services. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've driven service improvement and transformation, particularly in Ofsted-regulated environments.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Safeguarding
As the role involves acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, it's crucial to demonstrate a deep understanding of safeguarding legislation. Prepare to discuss your experience in this area and how you would foster a culture of safety and vigilance across all children's services.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Given the strategic nature of the role, be ready to discuss your approach to strategic planning and service design. Think about how you would shape the long-term vision for children's services and how you would engage with local authorities and families to meet future needs.
