Head of Provider Services (Childrens)

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About the role

Dorset Council is at the forefront of innovation in local government, taking bold steps to transform public services. We are a forward-thinking local authority committed to delivering exemplary services for children, young people and families.

As part of our ambitious journey, we are focussed on strengthening Dorset's position regionally and nationally while creating a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant environment for our residents. We are committed to delivering outstanding public services, building a dynamic economy and ensuring Dorset is a place where people can live, work, learn and thrive. We believe in the potential of our people to positively impact both our organisation and the communities we serve.

Our integrated model unites services across 6 locality teams, supported by a central team of specialists. This structure allows us to deliver on key priorities, which include:

• Best Start in Life
• Young and Thriving
• Good Care Provision
• The Best Education for All
• Delivering Locally
• Best Place to Live
• Safe at Home and in the Community

The Opportunity

We are seeking an inspirational leader to join us as the Head of Service - Provider Services.

In this pivotal role you will leave and shape Dorset's provider services for our children in care, driving innovation and ensuring that all services meet the needs of children, young people and families as well as leading our edge of care and reunification support services.

Reporting to the Corporate Director - Care and Protection, you will ensure high-quality services for children and families in alignment with national legislative frameworks and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

This includes, but is not limited to, key areas such as:

• Residential children's homes
• Kinship
• Fostering
• Adoption
• Services for children on the edge of care
• Reunification support services

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and delivery of the provider provision for our children in care and those on the edge of care
• Ensure effective safeguarding and protection for children and families in our care provision and those on the edge of care.
• Collaborate with health, education and police partners to deliver support to our care provision and those on the edge of care.
• Work closely with the Directorate extended leadership to deliver our vision and strategic direction.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and diverse culture of excellence, enabling flexible and response ways of working.
• Manage budgets effectively, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and aligned with service goals.

About You

To excel in this role, you will be a visionary and experienced leader with a strong background in children's social care and care provision. You will have significant experience of providing leadership and management of care provision.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Degree level education. Relevant professional qualifications or certificate in social work, or a related field
• Qualified Social Worker with registration or eligibility for registration with Social Work England
• Significant experience in a leadership role within Children's Services Social Care
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislative frameworks and statutory requirements
• Proven track record in strategic planning, operational management and stakeholder arrangement.
• Good budget management skills and experience in delivering efficiencies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams

Why Join us?

We are leading the national children's social care transformation as a Wave 1 Families First for Children Pathfinder authority.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward thinking, dynamic council, committed to improving outcomes for children and families in Dorset. As part of our team, you will help shape the future of public services in Dorset and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people.

Further Information

Please contact Carolann James [email protected] 01305 224536 or 07551 732922 for more details regarding this role

Shortlisting will take place the week commencing 3rd March 2025.

With interviews taking place in the week commencing 17th March 2025.

Access to a fully inclusive car scheme through Tusker, offering public sector discount rates with no credit checks or deposits, plus savings on National Insurance and pension contributions.

A generous relocation package is payable, of which up to £8,000 (of HMRC eligible elements) are free of tax. We can offer you help to move whether you are looking to buy or rent, depending on your circumstances.

Our package includes:

• an initial advance of up to £2,500 payable when you start
• help towards fees associated with buying/selling (up to £6,500)
• an option to receive help towards your rent or mortgage in the first two years

This position involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please see our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.

About Us

We're passionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working for us should be no exception.

At Dorset Council we:

• provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents
• have ambitious aspirations
• are excited about our future
• care about Dorset and all the people who live here
• know that all roles make a difference and that our employees are key to our success

You will:

• have access to a range of employee benefits
• be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

We are challenging ourselves to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We recognise that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the council and our communities. We have a commitment to equality and welcome applications from everyone.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role. We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments.

We also look for applicants who share our commitment to our values. We will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process.

This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.

We use generic job descriptions and person specifications. This means the job title on any attachments may differ from the job title in the advert. We may provide specific information in a context statement if relevant.

Find out more about how to apply.