Senior Strategy & Policy Lead, Children's Services

Wokingham Borough; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

GP Helpline

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

Free Onsite Gym

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Local & Lifestyle Discounts

Move through Menopause Course

Sports & Social Group Activities

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council invites applications for a Strategy & Policy Manager in Children’s Services. This permanent, full-time role leads strategic direction, policy development and cross‑department collaboration to improve outcomes for children and families in the borough.

You will translate complex policy into practical frameworks, oversee delivery plans and provide senior-level briefings. The post emphasises co‑production with young people and partners and requires a strong track record

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent, or extensive relevant experience within Children’s Services.
• Significant experience of developing strategies or policies within Children’s Services, education, social care or a related public‑sector environment.
• Strong understanding of national policy, legislation, safeguarding responsibilities relating to children and families.
• Experience of research, needs assessment and analysis, turning evidence and intelligence into clear priorities and recommendations.
• Excellent strategic writing, analytical and problem‑solving skills for senior leaders, boards and inspectors.
• Proven ability to facilitate, influence and negotiate across complex partnerships with political awareness.
• Experience of co‑production and embedding the voices of children, young people and families in service design.
• Collaborative, inclusive and resilient leadership with an outcome‑focused, continuous‑improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the development, review and refresh of high-quality strategies across Children’s Services, ensuring consistent quality standards.
• Translate national policy, legislation, local priorities and reform requirements into practical strategic frameworks, policies and measurable action plans.
• Use research, data, demographics, demand forecasting, performance intelligence and feedback to inform strategic decisions and long‑term planning.
• Produce clear, persuasive briefings, insight reports, governance papers and strategic narratives for senior leaders, elected Members, inspectors and partnership boards.
• Maintain oversight of delivery plans, milestones, outcomes, risks and dependencies, providing constructive challenge and escalation where progress is off track.
• Lead meaningful engagement and co-production with children, young people, families, practitioners and partners, working with the Participation Team.
• Align strategy, policy and transformation activity, identifying cross-cutting opportunities and supporting continuous improvement.
• Maintain the Children’s Services Strategy Register and ensure governance, publication, statutory and inspection requirements are met.
• Provide professional leadership, supervision and direction to officers and cross-service project teams, promoting high performance, inclusion and learning.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Written briefing

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Job description

Wokingham Borough Council invites applications for a Strategy & Policy Manager in Children’s Services. This permanent, full-time role leads strategic direction, policy development and cross‑department collaboration to improve outcomes for children and families in the borough.

You will translate complex policy into practical frameworks, oversee delivery plans and provide senior-level briefings. The post emphasises co‑production with young people and partners and requires a strong track record