At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape services for children in care and care leavers across Hull.
- Company: Hull City Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture focused on diversity, equality, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives and drive positive change in the community.
- Qualifications: Master’s level qualification, Social Work registration, and commitment to professional development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Hull City Council is looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting within our Children, Young People and Families Directorate. This is an exciting and new opportunity to shape the future of children in our care and our care leavers across the city. As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will drive our ambition for every child to thrive, championing a strong child‑centred culture and ensuring that the voices of children and families are integral to everything we do.
About the Role
In this role, you will provide strategic leadership for all children looked after and care leaver services, including our regulated children’s homes, supported accommodation, fostering and adoption provision. You will:
- Lead the development and delivery of Corporate Parenting services, ensuring excellence and aspiration for every child
- Influence policy and practice at local, regional and national levels, working with Government departments, Ofsted, Health, Police and wider partners
- Act as a visible, compassionate and ambitious leader, modelling strengths‑based practice and a culture of high support and high expectations
- Oversee a budget of £38.5 million and lead approximately 370 FTE colleagues across the service
- Ensure organisational readiness for all statutory inspections and compliance with safeguarding duties
- Represent the Council in key forums, strengthening relationships with Elected Members, partners, external agencies and the community
- Be part of the Council’s emergency response rota under the Civil Contingencies Act.
Essential Qualifications & Professional Standing
- A recognised professional or managerial qualification (Master’s level or above)
- A Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- A commitment to continuous professional development.
Experience You Will Bring:
- Extensive senior leadership experience improving outcomes for children and families within a large, complex organisation
- A track record of driving service improvement and cultural change
- Strong political awareness and experience working effectively with Elected Members
- Expertise in partnership working, commissioning, and delivering high‑quality services across agencies
- Significant financial and resource management experience
- Demonstrable success leading multi‑disciplinary teams at scale.
Skills & Leadership Qualities
- A compelling, credible leadership style that inspires trust and excellence.
- Ability to think strategically, influence across systems and translate vision into action.
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and relationship‑building skills.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to deliver innovative solutions to complex issues.
- Child‑centred, relational and strengths‑based approach.
Our Values
People First | Respect | Learning | Ambition | Partnership. These underpin how we work with children, families, partners and colleagues across the city.
Why Hull?
Hull is a place of strong identity, community pride and ambition for its children. With major investment across Children’s Services, this is an opportunity to be at the forefront of meaningful, lasting change and to make a difference that matters.
Benefits of Working of Hull City Council
- A competitive salary
- An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off, one in May/August and one during the Christmas/New year period
- Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
- Supportive and forward‑thinking culture
- Great career development opportunities
We are committed to increasing the diversity, equality, and inclusion within our workforce to represent the people we serve and build an environment in which everyone can feel like they belong. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting employer: The Training Brokers Ltd
Hull City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative change for children and families in a vibrant community. With a strong commitment to professional development, a supportive work culture, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact. The competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and generous leave provisions further enhance the appeal of working in this pivotal role within the Children, Young People and Families Directorate.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Hull City Council. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Hull City Council’s values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for our culture. Tailor your examples to highlight how you embody our People First, Respect, Learning, Ambition, and Partnership values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you’ve driven service improvements in the past. This will help you feel more confident and ready to impress us when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of Hull City Council and making a difference for children and families in our community.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for improving outcomes for children and families shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours, so don’t hold back on sharing your motivation for this role!
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to drive service improvement. We love a good story, so make sure to highlight your achievements in a way that showcases your impact.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experiences that match the requirements for the Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting role. We’re looking for someone who fits right in!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just follow the prompts and you’ll be all set!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Training Brokers Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Hull City Council's values and the specific responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting role. Familiarise yourself with current policies affecting children in care, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to champion a child-centred culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to articulate your leadership approach clearly. Think about examples where you've inspired trust and excellence in your teams. Be ready to discuss how you model strengths-based practice and maintain high expectations, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you would influence policy and practice at various levels. Bring examples of how you've successfully navigated complex organisational structures and partnerships to improve outcomes for children and families. This will show your ability to think strategically and translate vision into action.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the council’s initiatives. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and career aspirations.
