Children's Social Care Programme Lead

The salary scale for this position is £85,561 - £96,431 per annum based on a 36-hour working week and is offered as a 24-month fixed-term opportunity.

We are excited to be hiring a Programme Lead for Children's Social Care (CSC). The position will be suitable for hybrid working with Woodhatch Place, Reigate as the base.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

Children Social Care (CSC) has a strategy and transformation programme that is seeking to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people. This is part of an initial three-year programme and includes focus on projects from Corporate Parenting and Family Resilience. We are now looking for a Programme Lead for Children's Social Care Transformation to provide leadership of this high profile and fast paced practice area. This is a fixed term or secondment role for up to two-years with the opportunity to extend or make permanent subject to continued funding.

Our aim

The CSC Strategy and Transformation programme is integral to achieving a desired step change in both culture and approach across CSC teams, partners and services. By improving and joining up transformation and practice across the whole practice system we can ensure that our programme moves forward positively, providing an offer that enables children, young people and families to achieve consistently better outcomes.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Commissioning for Transformation, you will join a new, but motivated leadership team who are committed to working in partnership. You will also lead and work with a programme team who are embedded across the practice system supporting the delivery of change and improvements.

This is a key leadership role with a focus on ensuring that our transformation programme progresses in the right direction and has the right impact. An ability to develop strong working relationships with internal and external senior stakeholders is critical. You will ensure there is accountability for plans across the programme and that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined with all key stakeholders. You will be alert at horizon scanning, mitigating risks associated with the programmes and high-level problem solving.

You will have a genuine interest and understanding of CSC and associated sectors. You will also have the natural ability to present yourself positively with both confidence and conviction, inspiring trust amongst colleagues, partners and senior leaders working as part of the directorate team. You will be passionate about transformation and design-led change that puts children and young people at the centre. It is expected that you will possess strong programme management, financial management, performance management and report writing skills.

Shortlisting Criteria

We invite you to submit your CV and personal statement evidencing how you meet the following criteria:

• Experience of working in a Children's setting
• Programme management or related big ticket transformation experience
• Dynamic leadership skills
• Clear strategic thinking
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Ability to operate at a senior level
• Partnership qualities

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 30.04.2024 with presentations and interviews to follow.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.