Thank you for considering joining us as our next Assistant Director of Children’s Services in North Somerset.
We’re a small, friendly authority where you can really get to know people – not just in your own service, but right across the council, our partners and the community. Our practice model is all about building connections, because we know that strong relationships are at the heart of making a difference for children and families – we try to live that every day in how we work with each other too,
We’ve made great progress in recent years, but we know that’s there’s still more to do to build from the foundations we’ve laid to ensure high quality practice across all our services. That’s why this role is so important. We’re looking for a leader that can bring energy, vision and a determination to take us from where we are now to ‘good’ and beyond.
This is also a role with real responsibility. We have received significant additional investment into the service to give us the tools to deliver change, but it also brings challenge – and opportunity – of managing our resources effectively. We’ll be looking to you to make sure that we get our practice right so that we get our spend right.
We’re at a critical time here in North Somerset and it is a place where you really could make your mark - with a programme of transformation underway, strong political support and a partnership keen to come alongside to do things differently. You will be able to come alongside me to help shape the future for the children and families of North Somerset and support our ambitious workforce to embed the national Families First Partnership Programme.
And then there’s the place itself – right on the coast and with gorgeous rural countryside. It’s the kind of location where you can leave a meeting and within half an hour be walking on a beach or exploring open fields or hills.
If you believe in public service, care deeply about doing the right thing and want to lead in a place where trust, relationships and values come first, then I’d love you to think about applying.
Assistant Director of Children’s Services (Salary: £87,366 to £103,609)
About the Opportunity
North Somerset is a place where relationships matter. We’re a small, friendly authority with big ambitions, and we’re looking for an exceptional leader to join us as our next Assistant Director of Children’s Services. This is a pivotal role at a critical time, offering the opportunity to lead transformational change. We have ambitious plans to make a positive difference to the lives of our children and young people. With the arrival of our new Chief Executive, Mandy Bishop, this is an exciting time to join us as we embark on a new phase of reform and transformation.
A qualified social worker, you will be responsible for providing professional leadership to our multi-skilled workforce and driving practice improvement. Our Practice Approach is called Building Connections underpins everything we do - strengths-based, restorative, and trauma-informed practice model and we are looking for a leader that truly believes in family led decision-making and keeping children within their local community and extended family networks.
As Assistant Director, you will lead our children’s support and safeguarding services, including early help, family support, corporate parenting, youth justice, and quality assurance - but we are going through a period of change to enable the implementation of the Families First Reforms - with a restructure in November, and this role will be central to implementing that change. You will need to bring experience of improvement, a clear understanding of what good looks like, and the ability to work across boundaries with a genuine interest in connection and collaboration. We are looking for someone to support our continuous improvement journey towards the best outcomes for all our children.
We are a Council with strong values, good members, and a clear sense of purpose and commitment to transformation. Like all council's we have financial challenges, but you will be well supported politically, and we have recently been supported with additional Investment for the creation of our own In-house residential provision. In return we ask that you are a strong corporate player, able to build relationships across adult’s services and other directorates, and provide strong financial credibility and assurance around spend and strategic direction.
This is a place where you can truly make your mark. With strong political support, a programme of transformation underway, and a partnership ready to innovate, you’ll be joining at a time of real opportunity.
Closing Date for applications: Sunday 5th October at midnight
Useful Links:
Claire Shiels
Director of Children's Services
North Somerset Council
Key Contacts
For a confidential discussion, please contact the following consultants at our recruitment partner, Tile Hill, who will be happy to answer any questions that are not covered here:
Anita Denton, Senior Consultant
07725 554802
anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk
Helen Alwell, Senior Consultant
07931 543313
helen.alwell@tile-hill.co.uk