Head of Service - CIC

Head of Service - Children in Care & Care Leavers\n

Salary: Up to £85,000 per annum
Contract: Initial locum with potential for permanent appointment
Location: Halton Borough Council

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Halton Borough Council is looking for a passionate and experienced leader to drive excellence in services for Children in Care and Care Leavers. This is a key senior role, responsible for ensuring high-quality support, safeguarding, and improved outcomes for children and young people.

\nKey Responsibilities:\n

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  Children in Care & Care Leavers: Oversee care planning, permanency arrangements, and transitions into adulthood, ensuring children and young people receive the support they need.

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  Fostering & Adoption: Lead recruitment, assessment, and support of foster carers and adopters, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practice.

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  Residential Services: Manage the council's residential children's home, ensuring high standards of care and regulatory compliance.

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  Performance & Quality Assurance: Develop and implement service improvement plans in line with Ofsted requirements, using data and audits to drive continuous improvement.

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  Leadership & Workforce Development: Provide strong and visible leadership, supporting and developing teams to maintain high professional standards and effective service delivery.

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  Budget & Resource Management: Ensure effective financial oversight and efficient use of resources, securing external funding where possible.

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\nAbout You:\n

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  Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration and significant management experience in children's services.

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  Proven leadership in local authority or similar settings, with a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities and best practice in child protection, fostering, adoption, and care leaver support.

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  Skilled in strategic planning, performance management, and quality assurance.

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  Strong partnership working experience, including collaboration with agencies, courts, and safeguarding boards.

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  Financial management experience, ensuring cost-effective service delivery.

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  Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams.

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This is an exciting opportunity to lead a service that makes a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

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Apply now to be part of a dedicated team committed to achieving the best outcomes for children in Halton.

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Connect2Halton is a trading style of Halton & Kent Commercial Services LLP- A joint venture between Halton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Halton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.