Senior Workforce Development Lead

Cheshire West and Chester; Ellesmere Port; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a Workforce Development Lead to transform services for Children & Families. You will provide leadership and strategic direction for workforce development initiatives, managing a team and fostering professional growth. The role offers flexible working arrangements and a competitive salary, along with generous annual leave and additional rewards. The ideal candidate has a degree in social work, proven experience in organisational development, and strong understanding of the children's workforce challenges.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Social Work England Registration payment

Up to 16 days ‘flexi time’

Career progression structure

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent in social work and maintained regulatory registration.
• Significant experience in a workforce or organisational development role.
• Proven success in leading strategic workforce initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Report to the Principal Social Worker and manage a team of professionals.
• Design and lead workforce developing planning and professional progression programmes.
• Manage budgets and commissioning training to ensure effective workforce development.

Skills

Organisational development

Leadership

Budget management

Understanding of children’s workforce

Education

Degree-level qualification in social work

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of transforming services and developing the workforce as part of the Families First for Children framework. The role sits within the Practice, Workforce and Partnerships Hub, which has been designed to support workforce development, practice and partnership working across Children & Families Service and Partnerships in Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The post-holder will report to the Principal Social Worker and will line manage a number of professionals within the Hub, including a Workforce Development Lead, a Quality Assurance Officer, a Training Lead and a Recruitment Officer. The role has responsibility for shaping and delivering the strategic workforce agenda for Children & Families Service alongside the Principal Social Worker, including workforce development support for new roles such as Family Help Lead Practitioner and Lead Child Protection Practitioner. Responsibilities include designing and leading workforce developing planning, learning and development, operational lead for recruitment and retention, delivering professional progression programmes, and embedding effective quality assurance activities to ensure a skilled, resilient, and future‑ready workforce who are able to improve outcomes for children and families.

We are looking for somebody who meets the following requirements:

• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent in social work and maintained regulatory registration.
• Significant experience in a workforce or organisational development role, preferably within children’s services.
• Proven success in leading strategic workforce initiatives including professional development programmes.
• Experience managing budgets and commissioning training.
• Deep understanding of the children’s workforce, sector challenges and understanding of the new Families First reform.

In return, we will offer you:

An excellent work‑life balance, flexible and remote working arrangements.

You’ll get free parking at all our office locations, and we’ll pay your Social Work England Registration.

You’ll benefit from competitive working rewards and up to 16 days ‘flexi time’ per year as well as your annual leave of 26 days per year if you have less than 5 years continuous service and 31 days if you have over 5 years.

Competitive salary

Grow your own culture – we have a career progression structure to support your professional development.

Working rewards – we have a variety of schemes available to employees which include additional annual leave, care and cycle purchase scheme, home and electronics purchase scheme in addition to discounts at a wide range of high street and online retailers.

Pension scheme – our Local Government Pension Scheme is a career average pension scheme with employee contributions of between 5.5% and 8.5% and the employer contribution currently of 23.8%. The scheme includes ill‑health and death in service benefits after two years membership.

Employee assistance programme – 24 hours, seven day a week lifestyle support for when you or your family need a listening ear from a qualified advisor on a wide range of personal or work issues.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Assistant Director Philippa Rees - [e-mail]