Head of Service | Children in Our Care and Care Leavers | Preston, Lancashire

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Job Description

| Salary £75,420 - £82,480 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Children's Social Care | County Hall, Preston

International Sponsorship - this role is not open to international sponsorship

Head of Service - Children in Our Care and Care Leavers

Children's Social Care

About Us

As the fourth largest local authority in the country, we support approximately 1.52m people. Our 'Good rated' Children's Services are progressive and innovative. With a dedicated permanent Executive and Senior Leadership Team, we are committed to ensuring that all children, young people and their families in need of help are safe, healthy and supported to achieve.

About you...

Service Excellence - We are looking for an exceptional candidate with the knowledge, experience, and commitment to deliver the highest standards of service. You will lead the Child in Our Care and Care Leavers service to deliver the right service, at the right time, by the right people through effective wellbeing and preventative strategies.

Leadership - We seek a candidate with experience of shaping strategies and setting clear strategic initiatives to deliver purposeful and effective social work and care intervention, engaging children, young people and families.

Passion - You will be passionate about improving services, focused on performance to ensure services deliver lasting and sustainable outcomes for children, young people, and their families. You will possess the leadership skills to spearhead legislative initiatives and implement changes that fulfil the aspirations for care leavers as outlined in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Why Join us...

Inclusivity - We are committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working environment. Our aim is to ensure that everyone is equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society, working in an environment where individual differences are celebrated. To support this, we would especially welcome applications from any traditionally under-represented groups including people of colour, from the LGBTQ+ community or those with a disability. In addition, we provide a range of support networks including our Disabled Workers Forum, Forum of Asian & Black Employees, LGBTQ+ Employee Network & our Employee Support Team.

Benefits - We have a fabulous range of benefits including our benefits platform "Vivup" which can help you save on your weekly shop, plus discounts on clothing, eating out, entertainment, gym memberships and more. We have an excellent Employee Assistance Programme which can support your family and you with challenges around finance, fitness and health. There's a generous local government pension (circa 16%) with shared contributory AVC's, cycle to work schemes and reimbursement for eye tests plus much more. We support flexible working to improve your work life balance, with up to 32 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, 2 additional days in December and a further 20 days that which can be purchased separately.

Development - You'll get support and development along the journey - there will be time for supportive reflection and supervision for yourself, opportunities for personal growth, qualifications and development, multidisciplinary initiatives, mentoring, the opportunity to make a difference, feel valued and achieve the job satisfaction you've always wanted.

How to apply...

*If you are interested in applying for this role. Please provide the below with your application:

• Supporting Statement - Highlighting why you fit the role requirements.
• CV/Resume

If you have any questions before applying, we would be delighted to have an initial confidential chat with you so please contact Elentari Brown on Email: elentari.brown@lancashire.gov.uk to arrange a call with the hiring manager.

Closing Date: Sunday 2nd February 2025 Interviews: Monday 17th February 2025

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Job Description & Person Specification