At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative services for vulnerable children and young people in Dudley.
- Company: Dudley Council, committed to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and leadership development.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment that values collaboration and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in children's social care with a focus on improvement.
The predicted salary is between 76597 - 81370 € per year.
This is an exciting opportunity for a proven leader in children's social care to play a pivotal role improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people at scale, while leading complex transformation. As Principal Service Lead - Through Care, you'll lead some of the most important services in Children's Social Care - shaping the experiences and outcomes of children in care, care experienced young people, fostering, residential homes, placements and emotional wellbeing services across Dudley.
This is a role with genuine influence: leading strategic improvement while maintaining a strong operational grip on quality, safeguarding, permanence and stability for children and young people with complex needs. Working as part of the Children & Young People Leadership Team, you'll help drive the Council's improvement journey, embedding trauma-informed, child-centred practice and ensuring services deliver consistently high standards.
You'll work across the wider system - partnering with education, health, providers, elected members and social care leaders - to modernise services, strengthen corporate parenting and build sustainable, high-performing teams. From developing fostering sufficiency and improving placement stability to overseeing residential provision and supporting care leavers into adulthood, this is a rare opportunity to shape services that have a lasting impact on children's lives.
Who we're looking for: We're looking for an exceptional, values-led leader at Head of Service level who can combine strong statutory grip with big ambition for children's lives. You will bring credibility in children's social care leadership and the ability to drive improvement across Through Care, strengthening fostering, residential provision, placements, and emotional wellbeing support so that children experience real stability, not just services.
You'll understand regulation and quality inside-out (including safeguarding responsibilities and the operational discipline needed to meet statutory and governance requirements), and you'll use that knowledge to enable great practice rather than constrain it. Above all, you will be relentless in building the conditions for children to thrive growing our foster carer community, shaping, and delivering plans that bring children closer to home, and developing stable, nurturing homes where care is consistent, relationships are prioritised, and love is felt in everyday practice.
If you are the kind of leader who can hold risk, inspire teams, and turn strategy into lived experience for children creating stability built on love, belonging and high expectations then we would be delighted to hear from you.
Why join Dudley MBC? Joining Dudley Council is an opportunity to play a leading role in a borough-wide improvement journey where your expertise, leadership and ideas will genuinely shape the future of Children's Services. Alongside the opportunity to lead strategically and make a visible impact, Dudley offers a highly competitive package, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working opportunities and ongoing investment in leadership development and professional learning.
You'll join an organisation that values inclusive leadership, wellbeing, collaboration and continuous professional development, while offering the scale and complexity needed to further develop your career at senior leadership level.
For further details and to apply please click the apply button. The closing date for applications is Midnight, Sunday 7th June 2026. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults therefore, the post is subject to medical clearance and an enhanced DBS check.
Principal Service Lead - Through Care in London employer: Workcircle
Dudley Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative change in children's social care while making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people. With a strong commitment to inclusive leadership, professional development, and employee wellbeing, Dudley provides a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. The competitive salary package, generous leave entitlements, and flexible working arrangements further enhance the appeal of this role, making it an ideal environment for ambitious leaders looking to drive meaningful impact in their community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Service Lead - Through Care in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in children's social care and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Dudley MBC and their current initiatives in children's services. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you’re genuinely passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven improvement in previous roles. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve inspired teams to achieve great outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team and making a real impact in children's social care.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Service Lead - Through Care in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for children's social care shine through. We want to see how much you care about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people, so share your experiences and motivations that drive you in this field.
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your leadership skills and achievements. We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous positions, especially in areas like fostering, placements, or emotional wellbeing services.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Highlight your understanding of the key responsibilities and how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Service Lead - Through Care. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
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 makes the process smoother for everyone involved. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Workcircle
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of children's social care, especially in relation to the role of Principal Service Lead - Through Care. Brush up on key regulations, safeguarding responsibilities, and the operational discipline required to meet statutory and governance requirements. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your credibility and expertise during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with the values of Dudley MBC. Think about examples where you've inspired teams, driven improvement, and created stability for children. Highlight your experience in building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of love and belonging in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle complex situations in children's social care. Practice articulating how you would approach challenges related to fostering, residential provision, and emotional wellbeing support. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Engage with the Vision
Demonstrate your passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. Familiarise yourself with Dudley Council's improvement journey and be ready to share your ideas on how you can contribute to shaping services that have a lasting impact. Show that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely invested in making a difference.
