Director of Children's Services

Purpose

A pivotal role in our most senior team, reporting to the Chief Executive and supporting Elected Members, providing strategic leadership across Children’s Services.

This is a key role in delivering our overarching vision of making South Tyneside an outstanding place to live, invest and bring up families.

The postholder will be a key member of the Council’s Corporate Leadership Team and will lead and shape services ensuring that resources are developed and deployed in the most effective and sustainable way.

This postholder will hold the statutory Director of Children’s Services role. The Director of Children’s Services (DCS) has professional responsibility for the leadership, strategy and effectiveness of local authority children’s services. The DCS is responsible for securing the provision of services which address the needs of all children and young people, including the most disadvantaged and vulnerable and their families and carers. In undertaking these responsibilities, the DCS works closely with other local partners to improve the outcomes and wellbeing of children and young people.

Key responsibilities

• Take on a full and active, cross-cutting role in the leadership of the Council acting in the best interests of South Tyneside to maintain the Corporate Wellbeing of the organisation.
• Work closely with Elected Members to drive forward opportunities and developments and actively engage Elected Members in shaping excellent services.
• Lead a group of services and highly experienced leaders – setting direction, establishing priorities, building capacity, maintaining focus, and delivering value for money and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the Council is an effective Local Education and Children’s Social Services Authority, delivering against both statutory and non-statutory responsibilities.
• Lead Children Services through the appropriate regulatory frameworks including the preparation and facilitation of such processes to drive improvement outcomes and protect the Council’s reputation.
• Provide senior leadership and support to the Borough’s family of Schools.
• Oversee services and interventions to effectively reduce health inequalities and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the children of South Tyneside.
• Work in close partnership with local health partners to shape further health and social care integration to enable a range of people-focused outcomes for service users and their families.
• Provide strategic leadership to ensure the services resources are appropriately managed, including leadership of the group’s medium-term financial plan and planning and delivery of capital investment projects to further meet priorities.
• Ensure appropriate governance structures are in place and supported to effectively oversee and scrutinise key services, including Safeguarding Boards and the Health and Wellbeing Board.
• Nurture strong relationships with government, inspectorates, regional bodies and other local authorities, and with professional bodies, to promote the Council’s interests and influence national policy.
• Support the Chief Executive and act as a substitute when required, including representing the Council and the Chief Executive at meetings, including those involving regional and national stakeholders.
• Work with key stakeholder agencies like the DfE and Ofsted
• Work effectively with regional childrens directors and the ADCS groups etc

Further detail

The Council has undergone significant change since the launch of its 20-year vision in 2010. The Council’s Senior Management Team includes highly experienced, proactive and capable Heads of Service and Corporate Leads, who have broad responsibilities and autonomy, requiring minimal oversight on day-to-day operational issues. The Director Children’s Services will be responsible for providing overall strategic direction to Heads of Service and Corporate Leads, as required, and will have specific direct line management responsibility for the following:-

• Head of Childrens Social Care
• Head of Learning and Early Help
• Quality Assurance and Improvement Lead

Experience

• Substantial experience of local authority care service management, commissioning and procuring services at a senior level within a social care or education environment.
• Extensive experience of safeguarding practice in the protection of vulnerable children
• Extensive experience organising, leading and managing multiple teams, developing employees and achieving results through others and a successful track record of leading and managing organisational and cultural change, engaging with and influencing a large workforce.
• Proven experience in the strategic management and delivery of a group of services and a sound track record in the delivery and implementation of business strategies and plans.
• Able to provide clear, balanced advice and guidance on strategic issues that achieve the corporate and service objectives of the organisation.
• Substantial experience of strategically managing budgets or resources, evaluating competing budgetary priorities and delivering innovative solutions to traditional challenges.
• Able to negotiate at senior level and experience of presenting at Board level.
• A proven track record of working effectively within a political environment, providing clear, balanced advice and guidance on strategic issues that achieve the corporate and service objectives of the Council.
• A proven track record of communicating effectively to a wide range of audiences both internally and externally to achieve the corporate and strategic objectives of a large organisation.
• Professional qualification in socal care or other relevant qualification or equivalent.
• Evidence of appropriate Leadership Development.
• Proven experience of working with key stakeholder agencies like the DfE and Ofsted and leading and managing inspection processes.

Ability, skills and knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks for vulnerable children and the ability to lead the preparation and facilitation of such processes to drive improved outcomes and protect the Council’s reputation.
• An understanding of and commitment to the Council’s core values and objectives.
• Knowledge and a significant understanding of the legislative frameworks, key issues and best practice relevant to local authority children’s services.
• Ability to ensure equal access to and treatment in employment and services.
• A strong communicator and influencer, able to apply a structured and disciplined approach to work activities. Ability to develop, communicate and gain ownership of a clear vision and direction.
• Sound leadership skills and ability to provide coaching and employee guidance.
• A “team player” who will actively lead the strategic development of the Council.
• Strong decision maker, positive and open-minded approach, innovative, and open for new solutions.
• Ability to deliver results, work under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Capable of leading by example, taking ownership and being accountable for deliverables.

Personal style and behaviour

• At a position where you are seeking significant career challenge with the drive to succeed in this important role.
• A commitment to the Council’s Vision and Core Values.
• Personal and professional demeanour and credibility which commands the confidence of Elected Members, senior managers, employees, the local community, external partners and other stakeholders.
• A strategic thinker, able to manage a complex multi-discipline organisation.
• Acts and thinks corporately with a collaborative style that empowers others.
• Leads by example and delivers without supervision. Resilient and confident in own ability to make sound decisions incorporating information from varying sources.
• A commitment to delivering outcomes.
• A commitment to improve the quality of service to the community, best value and best practice.
• Highly developed oral, written and presentation skills.
• Highly motivated, resilient and not easily discouraged.
• A commitment to learning and personal development.
• Imaginative problem solver, able to apply remedial actions to business issues and establish permanent solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, motivate and manage staff.
• Commercially aware, focussed on customer service, possessing drive and determination to drive the business of the Council.