This role presents a rare opportunity to join North Tyneside as a leader of services for children’s services. Our ambition is that every child and young person in North Tyneside grows up in a community of kindness, ambition and aspiration, where they are safe, healthy and happy, where their voice is heard, and where they are supported to achieve their full potential regardless of their starting point or circumstances. Through strong relationships, early intervention and partnership working, we will continue to improve outcomes and ensure that every child is ready for school, ready for work and ready for life.
As Head of Service (equivalent to Assistant Director), you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of this ambition. You will lead a significant portfolio that includes Early help family help, safeguarding, child protection, children in care, kinship, children’s homes, supported accommodation, care leavers, youth justice and family support services. Working closely with senior colleagues across the directorate and wider partnership system, you will drive improvement, champion high-quality practice and ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time. You will play a key role in shaping strategic priorities, strengthening partnerships and delivering better outcomes for children and young people.
The successful candidate
Will be passionate and ambitious. As a registered Social worker. You will have significant experience of leadership across multiple services and change programmes in Children’s Services gained from working at a similar level in a large and complex organisation. You will have deep specialist knowledge built through broad experience, and a track record of making sound judgments from past learning and current strategic thinking.
You will have significant experience of managing risk linked to children Safeguarding and developing services which improve outcomes for children and their families/carers. As a system leader you will work across the wider directorate and council to ensure delivery of the key priortites including the council values.
Reporting to the Director of Children’s Services you will be confident holding the technical brief for a whole organisation, and able to advise directors and elected members. You will represent the council at a regional and national level and be trusted to follow through on the commitments you make.
Contact:
For an informal conversation regarding the vacancy, please contact:
Rebecca Wall - Director of Children’s Services
[email protected]
Applications based upon flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be given full consideration.
DBS Statement
- The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and an Enhanced DBS disclosure, including Barred List Check, will be required.
Applications based upon flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be given full consideration.
Why North Tyneside Council?
Our People First strategy is our promise to make North Tyneside Council an exceptional place to work, where everyone can thrive and flourish. A place where people want to work, where joining our team is an exciting prospect, staying with us feels like a great decision, and building your career at North Tyneside Council is a natural progression.
As part of our People First strategy, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the well-being of our employees and residents. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued.
Together, we're crafting a workplace that's built on our values and a shared commitment to making a difference.
If you are passionate and committed about making a difference and want to work somewhere where you can make positive change, we will provide the right environment for you to excel.
Alongside our People First strategy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance. Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody’s business.
Require a reasonable adjustment? If you feel a reasonable adjustment will provide additional support in both the recruitment process and within the workplace, please indicate this to the hiring manager on your application. Declaring a reasonable adjustment will not subject you to any form of discrimination when determining which applicants are successful for interview and employment with us.
Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan
In 2019, North Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency. This declaration set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of the council’s operations, and the borough, by 50% by 2023 and to align to the Government’s net zero target of 2050.
We recognise the significant role we can play in the borough in helping to limit climate change, but we can’t do this alone; we need help from all our residents, businesses, voluntary and community sectors and of course all those who apply and work for us. Together we can make North Tyneside a sustainable place to live and work for everyone in the borough.
To learn more about Our Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan
Applying
To view more information about the role and view the Job Description please click "Apply" you will be taken to the North Tyneside Careers Portal.
Learn More
For further information about North Tyneside Council, the benefits of working for us, candidate support, and the many attractions of working and living in North Tyneside please see the council’s “work for us" page here Work for us | North Tyneside Council
