Service Director Children, Young People & Families

Guardian Jobs; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Plymouth is seeking a Service Director for Children, Young People & Families. The role involves leading statutory services, advising on policy, and ensuring effective support for children and families. Candidates must be qualified social workers with a strong record of leadership and commitment to safeguarding. This is an incredible opportunity for career development within a supportive team dedicated to improving lives.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Cohesive and supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Must have extensive knowledge of social care, youth and family services.
• Experience leading and developing a successful social care department is essential.
• Demonstrate a strategic understanding of service provision and partnership working.

Responsibilities

• Lead statutory commissioned services for children and families.
• Act as the principal policy advisor on children’s matters within the Department.
• Work closely with health partners and colleagues across the system.

Skills

Extensive knowledge of social care

Leadership skills

Understanding of commissioning frameworks

Ability to lead change

Commitment to safeguarding

Education

Qualified social worker

Job description

Overview

Great things are happening in Plymouth Children’s Services. Our vision is that all children and young people in Plymouth have a bright future, supported by a system which works seamlessly to spot difficulties early, responds quickly and effectively, and makes sure that help is there for as long as it is needed. Our ‘One Children’s Services’ approach is targeting investment to make sure children and families get the right help at the right time, so that all of our children and young people experience good outcomes.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Children’s Services, this role will play a pivotal role in helping our children and young people to live full and happy lives, with access to the best health, education and any other support they need. You’ll lead our statutory commissioned services for children, young people and families, working closely with health partners and colleagues across the system. Relationships are strong, and our place‑based approach enables an impressively agile, responsive culture amongst the team – vital in early intervention and prevention. You’ll be our principal policy and professional advisor on children, youth and families matters within the Department, and offer expertise and advice to colleagues both across and beyond the Council, including elected members.

Qualifications

Candidates must be qualified social workers, with extensive knowledge of social care, youth and family services and commissioning frameworks and legislation, as well as experience of leading and developing a successful social care department. Your track record will demonstrate a highly strategic, system‑level understanding of service provision, partnership working and continuous improvement, and an uncompromising commitment to safeguarding is essential. We’ll also look for evidence that you value the voices of service users as highly as we do, and that you understand how to lead change with compassion, optimism and an inspiring vision for better.

Benefits

It’s an incredible career development opportunity, so if you’re ambitious to make rapid professional progress this role is perfect. You’ll be joining a strong, cohesive and supportive team, with shared values and a single‑minded approach to improving the lives for Plymouth’s children, young people and families.

Application

For more information and to apply, please visit Plymouth City Council | Service Director Children, Young People & Families