At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape services for children in care, ensuring their voices are heard.
- 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 that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and drive meaningful change in the community.
- Qualifications: Master’s level qualification, Social Work registration, and extensive leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ 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.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a leader with:
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
You will embody and champion our leadership values of: 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
Please ensure that you complete and submit your application by midnight prior to the closing date. 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.
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.
Strategic Leader for 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 competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme and ample annual leave, we empower our leaders to make a meaningful impact. Join us in shaping the future of our city and championing a child-centred approach that prioritises the voices of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Leader for 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 interviews by researching Hull City Council’s values and recent initiatives. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of putting children first. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your leadership style.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role. It shows you’re genuinely interested and engaged.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our careers page for new opportunities that match your skills and ambitions. We’re all about finding the right fit for both you and us!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Leader for 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 much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description – we love seeing how you fit into our vision!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
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 helps us keep everything organised and efficient on our end.
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 challenges facing children and families in the area. Familiarise yourself with recent policies, initiatives, and any relevant statistics that demonstrate your understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with a child-centred culture. Think of examples where you've inspired trust and excellence in your teams, especially in complex environments. Be ready to illustrate how you model strengths-based practice.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Anticipate questions about real-life scenarios you might face in this role. Consider how you would handle budget management, statutory inspections, or partnership working. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the current challenges they face in corporate parenting or how they measure success in their services. This not only demonstrates your engagement but also helps you assess if the role is right for you.
