Service Lead - Children’s Transformation - 22.20 Hours

Torbay Council; Torquay; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Service Lead – Children’s Transformation for a fixed term until 31st March 2026. The candidate will work 3 days a week, responsible for delivering transformational initiatives and closely collaborating with partners and families. Candidates should have a significant background in managing teams and improving outcomes for children and families. The role demands good communication skills in English and compliance with enhanced criminal record checks.

Qualifications

• Ability to drive change while minimizing impacts on outcomes.
• Ability to inspire trust among frontline practitioners.
• Enhanced IT skills across multiple platforms.
• Proven skills in delivering key performance requirements.
• Ability to fulfill spoken role aspects in English.

Responsibilities

• Deliver transformational initiatives in Children's Services.
• Work closely with partners and families for strategic vision.
• Promote a culture of innovation for improving outcomes.

Skills

Change management

Building trust with practitioners

Enhanced IT Skills

Staff appraisal and motivation

Performance requirements delivery

Job description

Application Deadline: 2 October 2025

Department: Childrens Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £51,356 - £54,495 / year

Description

An exciting opportunity has been created for a Service Lead – Children’s Transformation on a 6 + 6 month basis. The successful candidate will work in the Children’s Transformation Service for 3 days per week and will report directly to the Divisional Director for Children’s Services Transformation. They will be responsible for delivering transformational initiatives including, but not exhaustive to the new children’s reforms. This will involve close working with internal and external partners as well as children and families to ensure the strategic vision for change is translated into robust operational practice. The successful candidate will have a good understanding of evidence-based practice as well as a good track record of using performance data and quality assurance frameworks to identify areas ripe for improvement.

As this post is the equivalent to a Service Manager position, it is being offered to social work qualified Service Managers who would like the opportunity of developing their skills and knowledge in change management and transformational activity as well as Team Managers who would like the opportunity of a professional development role.

The reforms must be delivered within the next 12-month period, so the successful candidate will need to be motivated and dynamic to ensure the project plan remains on track and all the deliverables are met within timescale. To do this, the post holder will need to actively promote a culture of innovation by encouraging professionals across an array of organisations to explore new approaches and technologies in the design of new systems and processes that ultimately improve outcomes for children and their families that are aligned to the Families First Partnership Programme and the Children’s Social Care National Framework.

This position is for a fixed term until 31st March 2026.

This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/service-lead-childrens-transformation/

For an informal chat please contact Shaun Evans on 01803 208736 or [e-mail].

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 6th October 2025. Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there’s a published deadline - so if you’re keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

• Ability to drive change and to support services during periods of change and development, minimising the impact on outcomes, performance improvements to a service.
• Ability to inspire the trust and confidence of frontline practitioners and managers across Children’s Services, building alliances across the different professions and systematically involving experts by experience in the development and delivery of services and supports.
• Enhanced IT Skills across a multitude of difference platforms including case management recording systems.
• Ability to appraise and motivate staff in a way that ensures compliance with policies but also enables individuals to develop. Including the effective use of performance management in enabling staff development and ensure service delivery is achieved.
• Proven skills in delivering key performance requirements linked to statutory delivery for a Children’s social care setting.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

• Thorough understanding of current legislation and DfE guidance and developments in services to children young people and families.
• Thorough understanding of the professional practice relating to safeguarding and working with complex families including the role of the TSCP and Working Together 2023.
• Knowledge and understanding of the full range of activities delivered by the Authority and partners in relation to children, young people and families.
• Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of equal opportunities.

Experience & Qualifications

• Significant experience working with children and families in the context of current legislation and government initiatives.
• Experience of managing teams and assuring compliance to policy and procedures.
• Evidence of having delivered improved outcomes and impact for children and young people.
• Understanding and experience of performance monitoring and performance management techniques to drive service improvement.
• Experience of managing and monitoring delegated budgets.