Head of Service in Birkenhead

Job Purpose

Enhanced DBS Required

The Head of Service - Home Again - will provide strategic, operational and professional leadership for the mobilisation, implementation and delivery of the Home Again Programme across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Home Again works with those children and young people who have a deprivation of liberty order or at risk of and may have complex needs that need support from health, education, youth justice and children's services.

Working on behalf of partner local authorities, health organisations and the Regional Care Cooperative, the postholder will lead the development of an innovative regional service designed to improve outcomes for children and young people with complex needs who are at risk of placement instability, restrictive care environments, deprivation of liberty arrangements, or escalation into high-cost specialist provision.

The role will be responsible for translating the Home Again vision into a sustainable operating model, establishing governance arrangements, building and leading a multidisciplinary workforce, and ensuring the programme delivers measurable improvements in outcomes for children, young people and families.

The role will ensure alignment with other programs working with the same or similar cohort including Appropriate Places of Care, CNEST and Gateway,

As a senior system leader, the postholder will work across organisational boundaries to drive collaboration, influence service design and commissioning, improve regional sufficiency, and lead transformational change across children's services, health, education and youth justice partners.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Programme Delivery

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Home Again Programme.
• Lead the mobilisation, implementation and ongoing delivery of the regional service model.
• Develop and maintain a clear strategic vision, objectives and delivery plan.
• Ensure Home Again contributes to wider children's social care reform, sufficiency and integration priorities across the region.

Service Development and Improvement

• Establish and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary workforce.
• Develop referral pathways, assessment processes and intervention models.
• Promote innovation, evidence-informed practice and continuous improvement.
• Ensure services are child-centred, outcome-focused and responsive to need.

Partnership and System Leadership

• Build and maintain effective relationships with Directors of Children's Services, NHS partners, education leaders, youth justice services, commissioners and providers.
• Create shared ownership and accountability for programme outcomes across partner organisations.
• Represent Home Again at local, regional and national forums.
• Chair and contribute to relevant governance and partnership boards.

Quality, Performance and Governance

• Establish robust quality assurance, performance management and reporting arrangements.
• Monitor outcomes, benefits realisation and programme performance.
• Provide assurance and strategic reporting to the RCC, partner organisations and funding bodies.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, statutory, regulatory and governance requirements.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage programme budgets and resources effectively.
• Ensure value for money and sustainable service delivery.
• Contribute to long-term financial planning and future sustainability of the programme.
• Identify and manage strategic risks, issues and mitigation plans.

Key Accountabilities

• Successful mobilisation and delivery of the Home Again Programme.
• Achievement of agreed programme outcomes, milestones and benefits.
• Leadership, management and development of the Home Again workforce.
• Quality, safety and effectiveness of service delivery.
• Effective partnerships across Cheshire and Merseyside.
• Financial stewardship and budget management.
• Risk management, governance and regulatory compliance.
• Providing assurance and strategic advice to senior leaders and governance boards.

Direct Reports (Indicative)

• Hub leads
• Practice and Quality Lead
• Performance and Intelligence Lead
• Business and Administrative Support Staff

Role Profile

This is a senior strategic leadership role operating at the level of a Head of Service with significant Programme Director responsibilities. The postholder will provide visible leadership across multiple organisations, bringing together partners to deliver a flagship regional programme that develops sustainable alternatives to restrictive care, improves placement stability, and achieves better outcomes for some of the region's most vulnerable children and young people.