Assistant Director for Family Help

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary:£88,225 - £105,726 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:37 hours per week, flexible working options available. Weekend on-call rota participation required
• Contract:Permanent

We are seeking a visionary and compassionate leader to join our Children and Young People's Services as Assistant Director for Family Help. This is a pivotal role in shaping the future of early intervention, safeguarding, and integrated family support across Suffolk.

About the role

You will provide strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio including:

• Family Help Service
• Youth Justice Service
• Integrated Front Door
• Disabled Children and Young People's Services (DCYP)

Working closely with the Service Director and the wider Leadership Team, you will provide strategic system leadership in the development and transformation of services that enable the council to advance the prevention, self-care, and early intervention agenda, allowing front-line staff to spend more time working directly with families.

The role will ensure our continued focus on balancing risk management and child safety through the development of our Families First model and Integrated Front Door, as well as our Youth Justice Service.

What you'll deliver

• Lead high-quality delivery of services across Early Help, Child Protection, Youth Justice, and the Integrated Front Door.
• Champion co-production and family-centred approaches across all service areas.
• Drive the development and implementation of the Integrated Front Door and Family Help models.
• Oversee budgets and resources to meet the needs of children and young people effectively.
• Foster collaborative, cross-team working to reduce duplication and improve outcomes.
• Support workforce recruitment and retention, especially in hard-to-fill roles.
• Promote evidence-based practice models including Signs of Safety, Restorative and Trauma-Informed Practice.
• Lead service transformation and inspection readiness in line with national reforms and local priorities.

What you'll bring

• A recognised Social Work qualification and registration
• Senior leadership experience in children's services
• Strong understanding of Ofsted frameworks and safeguarding practice
• Proven ability to lead complex transformation and service redesign
• A collaborative, values-driven approach aligned with our WE ASPIRE values
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and families in Suffolk

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word) and the supporting Role Addendum (Word).

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Suffolk County Council is on an exciting improvement journey. With a new DCS and a refreshed leadership team, we are committed to delivering outstanding services for children and families. You will join a supportive, ambitious, and forward-thinking organisation that values innovation, inclusion, and professional growth.

Join us and be part of a team that supports your development from the start, helps you diversify your skills, and builds an influential and impactful career.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Hayley Griffin for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing hayley.griffin@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word) andRole Addendum (Word).

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a CV and covering letter (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailingrecruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor calling 03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 20 August 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).