Position reference: 50146494
Directorate: Children’s Services | Service: Quality Assurance and Service Improvement
Salary: £47,181 - £50,269
Working Arrangements: Full time Monday-Friday
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch.
See our range of Employee Rewards: Employee rewards and benefits
Closing date: 10/07/2026 at 23:59
This post requires a Basic Criminal Record Check
Prospective employees will be required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time living abroad.
When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.
Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.
At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.
We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.
There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent Quality Assurance and Service Improvement team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
- We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
- Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
- If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
- We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
- There’s so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
- Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.
About the Post:
Are you an experienced policy professional with a strong understanding of Children’s Services and the drive to turn national reform into meaningful local impact? We are looking for a Policy Officer to provide expert policy support across our Children’s Services directorate, helping Barnsley Council respond to legislative change, updated statutory guidance and other emerging reforms.
This is a key role during a major period of change for Children’s Services. We’re looking for an outstanding individual to lead on research, horizon scanning and analysis of public sector reform, inspection expectations and policy developments, turning complex information into strategic advice and informing decision making. Working closely with senior leaders, elected members and partners, you will help ensure our services are informed, prepared and focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families.
Barnsley is the place of possibilities where vision becomes reality. We have reinvented ourselves, finding a new economic purpose and becoming an exemplar of renewal and transformation. Our strong sense of pride propels us forward with brave and innovative thinking, making our aspirations a reality and delivering for our people. It’s why we’re a double award-winning 2023 LGC and MJ Council of the Year - the first council ever to have won both awards in the same year.
Join an organisation where you will be able to make a real difference to the lives of our residents and the future of Barnsley. You will also be a key member of a high-performing, inclusive team that works with honesty, integrity and respect.
Your role:
- Lead the Children’s Services policy function, translating national reform, emerging statutory guidance and legislative change into clear local policy, plans and strategies.
- Provide strategic policy advice, briefings and updates to senior leaders and elected members, supporting effective decision-making that ensures the best outcomes for our children and young people.
- Lead on research, horizon scanning and analysis of emerging policy and legislative change, identifying local risks, opportunities and actions for Children’s Services.
- Use local and national data, performance and intelligence to inform policy and strategy development and shape service improvement.
- Manage relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including elected members, local partners, government departments and other policy professionals.
What we offer:
- A chance to take on a high-profile role at a time of significant change, directly shaping how Children’s Services respond to reform and deliver improved outcomes for children, young people and families.
- The opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, elected members and partners, giving you real influence across an important area of changing council policy and service improvement.
- Interesting, varied work that offers the chance to develop your expertise across Children’s Services policy, reform, strategy and partnership working.
- A supportive and collaborative working culture at an award-winning Council, where your contributions are valued, and your ideas are heard.
- A competitive salary and benefits package, including flexible working arrangements, generous leave and access to learning and development opportunities.
Requirements:
- You are a proactive, responsive and flexible individual, with a passion for driving positive change for children, young people and their families.
- You have strong experience of working in a policy, strategy or improvement role, ideally within Children’s Services or a related public sector environment.
- You have a good understanding of the issues, reforms and statutory framework across Education, Health, Social care and Early years and are confident interpreting what national change means locally.
- You possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders across a complex multi-agency environment.
- You are comfortable working with data, performance information and wider intelligence to identify key messages, shape recommendations and support service improvement.
- You have exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail, with the capacity to manage competing priorities effectively.
- You will hold a Level 6 qualification in a relevant subject, or can demonstrate extensive equivalent experience supported by a relevant Level 3 qualification.
Deadline: Friday 10th July at 11:59
Interview date: Tuesday 21st July, in person only.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of Children’s Service, supporting decision-making and driving strategic initiatives. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team committed to excellence and innovation in public service. If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of an award-winning team, we want to hear from you.
Please use the documents below to help support you with your application form.
Job Profile: Children’s Services Policy Officer Profile.docx
Vacancy Exposure Profile: Exposure Profile.pdf
Help with your application form
Why work for us?
Please ensure you view the job profile for this role, as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.
We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.
We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.
CV's are not accepted for this role.
At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances"
www.barnsley.gov.uk/jobs
