HEAD OF SERVICE (MASH AND LOCALITY SOCIAL WORK) Our client's Children and Young People's Directorate is in the middle of rapid transformation. They are one of just a handful of local authorities rated inadequate which did not have an Alternative Delivery Model imposed, with senior commitment to the changes and to creating a better place for our practitioners to work recognised by the Commissioner. We have a clear vision of the service we're creating, and we know how we're going to do it.

The Commissioner highlighted the commitment and expertise of the new senior leadership team, which has worked hard to turn around staff morale and workloads. But don't take their word for it……….. "Staff within the service do describe the new leadership as "known, visible and knowledgeable". Peter Dwyer CBE, Commissioner for Children's Services in Wakefield

Have you had a career dedicated to making things better for children and young people? Do you have experience of driving change in difficult times and are looking for the next step within a local authority that is determined to continue making changes to its systems and practices so that children and young people are happy, healthy and safe? They need a Head of Service to support their improvement journey. This post provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Locality Safeguarding Teams. We are looking for an ambitious senior manager with proven experience of successfully managing services for children and families. You will manage 4 Service Managers within the service area.

You will have experience of bringing together internal services, partners and stakeholders, under difficult and challenging circumstances, to improve services and therefore outcomes for children and their families. Leading and developing a range of specialist professionals, including managing Service Managers, you'll play a key role in the strategic planning and transformation of services. You'll be responsible for the delivery of safe and sustainable outcomes through a responsive service. You will have the vision and change management skills to make the necessary process and culture changes to ensure we have robust systems and confident and resilient social workers to deliver best practice social care to our children and families. Our improvement ambitions are steep, and so is the challenge.

Wakefield are making significant improvements at pace so you will need to demonstrate you enthusiastic and energetic approach, with experience of leading change and achieving better outcomes for children. You will be part of a committed and dynamic management team providing high levels of support and challenge, promoting a learning environment in which good practice can flourish.

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.