Continuous Improvement Partner

Staffordshire County Council; Acton Gate; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England seeks an experienced professional for the Improvement, Performance and Engagement Team. This fixed-term role is focused on driving service improvements and supporting children's services, requiring strong facilitation and project management skills. You'll manage a small team and engage with stakeholders to ensure quality services. The position offers a hybrid working environment with regular office attendance required, aiming to positively impact families and children in the community.

Qualifications

• Ability to engage and build relationships with diverse individuals.
• Strong facilitation skills for effective communication.
• Experience in project and programme management.
• Advocate for co-production and community involvement.
• Focus on impactful outcomes in children's services.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Intelligence & Analysis Lead for service performance assurance.
• Provide leadership in programme and change management.
• Support the directorate in preparing for inspections.
• Champion engagement of individuals with lived experience.
• Manage a small team to drive improvements.

Skills

Facilitation skills

Project and programme management experience

Ability to engage with diverse backgrounds

Advocacy for co-production

Outcome and impact focus

Job description

Are you passionate about continuous improvement and dedicated to embedding lived experience into service design and delivery? If so, our Children and Families Directorate is seeking an experienced professional to join our Improvement, Performance and Engagement Team (IPET). You will play a pivotal role in driving continuous improvement initiatives across the Directorate. Collaborating with and facilitating senior colleagues and stakeholders to prioritise improvement activity and innovation, aligning objectives with the overall strategy. It is a really exciting time to join the team as the directorate is implementing a new case management system and developing our arrangements for introducing the Families First programme. This position is for a fixed term until October 2026 to cover a secondment. The role is based in Staffordshire Place 1 and hybrid working is available but regular office attendance is required.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Intelligence & Analysis Lead to provide assurance on the performance and quality of services through our monthly reporting processes. This will include progress of project activity, ensuring that risks are identified and mitigated.
• Provide programme & change management leadership.
• Provide advice and guidance on creating policies, procedures, and system changes ensuring appropriate consultation and governance is in place.
• Support the directorate to be inspection ready.
• Champion engagement and the involvement of people with lived experience in service review and design.
• Manage a small team.

You will

• be keen to make a positive difference for children and families.
• be able to strike the right balance between coaching and supporting leaders and providing high challenge to continually improve.

Requirements

• Have the ability to engage & build relationships with people from a range of backgrounds.
• Have strong facilitation skills.
• Have project and programme management experience.
• Be an advocate for co-production.
• Be focused on outcomes & impact.
• Have knowledge of children's services.

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy: We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future. We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire.