Executive Director of Children's Services (DCS)

Middlesbrough is a place with enormous potential. We are a proud community with a rich heritage, bold ambitions, and a determination to shape a better future for our children and young people.

Middlesbrough has one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse populations in the North East. As a comparatively smaller local authority, we can innovate quickly, collaborate deeply, and deliver lasting change. We have a committed Chief Executive and Mayor who understand the difference great children’s services can make, and lead members who are committed to improving services for children and residents. You’ll work hand-in-hand with colleagues who understand that turning around outcomes for children is everyone’s business.

We are seeking an Executive Director of Children’s Services to drive forward the improvement journey we are on. As part of our Corporate Leadership Team, and reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you’ll have the platform and support to lead the next stage of our transformation journey and make a positive difference in the life of every child in Middlesbrough.

A service on the up – and more to do

Middlesbrough children’s services have made demonstrable progress. Our ILACS inspection in 2023 rated us ‘Requires Improvement’ in all areas – a clear step forward from an ‘Inadequate’ in 2019. A focused visit in 2024 praised our commitment and noted a “tangible commitment to radically improve outcomes”. With our improvement notice recently lifted, we’re moving from recovery into long-term transformation – placing children at the heart of a broader place-based change agenda. We know ourselves well, we know what needs to improve, and we’re determined to get there – and you will be the driving force in making this happen.

Our new Executive Director of Children's Services will bring the technical grip and leadership strength to drive consistency of practice, develop a permanent and skilled workforce, and fully embed our practice framework. These are the golden threads that run through our transformation agenda – and they’ll be the hallmarks of success in this role.

The role
This is a strategic leadership role at the heart of one of the most exciting improvement journeys in the North East. You’ll lead sustained transformation across social care and education and ensure our progress remains focused, measurable, and relentlessly child-centred.

You’ll help shape Middlesbrough’s wider transformation programme – contributing to the development of our neighbourhood model, strengthening community engagement, and ensuring that services are built around the people who use them. You’ll work collaboratively, transparently, and effectively with Members, partners, and stakeholders across the region to tackle complex, system-wide challenges.

About you
You’ll be a passionate leader, putting children at the centre of everything. Bringing strong technical experience and an understanding of what great services look like, you’ll have a track record of improvement, transformation, and collaborative leadership along with an ability to work effectively with partners and Members.

In return, you’ll find a council that’s up for the challenge, a leadership team that values openness and teamwork, and a place that needs and deserves the very best.

Join us in Middlesbrough and help us give every child the start in life they deserve.

To apply
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Chris Barrow (07437 839048 / chris.barrow@tile-hill.co.uk), Anita Denton (07725 554802 / anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk), or Zarvesha Rasool (07551 392696 / zarvesha.rasool@tile-hill.co.uk) at our recruitment partner, Tile Hill.

Closing date: midnight on Sunday 1st June 2025

To apply:
To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only.

Applications should include:

• Full contact details;
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your current salary and notice period;
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk.