Children Services - OFSTED RATING 2024 – GOOD

“Many workers have chosen to both live and work in Southend.  They have seen positive cultural changes in the organisation and describe Southend as not just being a good place to live but now also a good place to work.”

“Social workers speak with warmth and knowledge about the children and families they support”

CPD

“The training and development offered in Southend is comprehensive and equips staff effectively to deliver their work with children and families.

LEADERS INPUT

“Leaders understand their local communities and have used this knowledge strategically and effectively to meet children’s needs”

Our vision is A Southend Where All Children Achieve Success. By joining Southend City Council as a Social Worker, you will be key in making our vision a reality for all children. You will be joining a service where we demonstrate with pride that: 

• All paths lead back to the child.
• We spend time getting to know each child and their story.
• We do what we say we're going to do.
• We work with the whole family.
• No matter what, we aim to make things better. 

Southend-on- Sea City Council are seeking to appoint an interim Fostering and Corporate Parenting experienced Head of Service.

As a Head of Service, you will have excellent leadership skills, bringing an ability to balance strategic priorities and operational workload.  You will maintain high-quality services and recording, whilst managing the overall performance of service delivery. Building strong internal alliances with other senior managers across Children’s Services will complement and enhance our culture of continuous improvement. This role also has an important external element drawing on your proven skills working with partners across the system. This will draw on your communication skills, stakeholder management and commitment to relationship-based practice.

You will be committed to delivering high performing, high quality services understanding how to motivate your services and providing containment at busy times. You will be passionate about children, young people, their families, and networks, using this to lead and motivate your teams.

You will lead and manage Southend’s Fostering and Kinship Care Services, developing and implementing strategic plans, policies and procedures. Working on improving the services and best practices, including foster care, child development, policies and procedures.

To be shortlisted for this position, you must currently be a Head of Service with significant experience in children’s social work and be registered with Social Work England.

Have extensive knowledge of fostering services, a detailed knowledge of children’s services and an understanding of the legislative and statutory obligations relevant to such services.

Be experienced in commissioning and regulated accommodation for children in care and care leavers, and have a good oversight, governance, and administration of large budgets

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

If you would like a copy the Job Description, please Click here 

If you are wanting further information that isn't in the JD, please contact Nathalie Nathalie.s@hays.com

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.