Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a Children’s Services Planning and Transformation Lead to join our Children's Services Planning and Transformation team. Our Children's Services Planning and Transformation team works across education, childcare and children's social care to ensure Milton Keynes has the right services, provision and support available for children, young people and families, both now and in the future.
We use data, market analysis and strategic planning to identify needs, deliver improvement and transformation projects, and secure the resources required to meet statutory duties and growing demand. Our work helps ensure children can access high-quality education, childcare and care placements locally, while making sure public funding is used effectively. By planning ahead and driving positive change, we support better outcomes for children and young people across Milton Keynes.
As Children’s Services Planning and Transformation Lead, you’ll play a central role within the team, leading strategic planning and transformation activity that helps shape the future of services across the city. Working closely with colleagues, partners and providers, you'll use evidence and insight to inform decision making, identify future service needs and develop sustainable solutions that support children, young people and families. Your work will influence how services are planned, commissioned and delivered across education, childcare, care placements and wider children's services provision.
This is a rewarding opportunity to lead meaningful projects that help ensure the right support is available in the right place at the right time, while delivering value for local communities and making the best use of public resources. If you're looking for a role where strategic thinking, partnership working and transformation can have a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, this is the role for you.
This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home‑based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site.
Interviews for this role will be held on 27th August 2026
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.
Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Lead high-quality analysis of local needs, trends and service demands to inform strategic planning and future provision across Children’s Services.
- Support the development of transformation projects that improve services, deliver efficiencies and help meet statutory sufficiency duties.
- Work collaboratively to identify opportunities for new provision, service improvements and sustainable solutions alongside partners and stakeholders.
- Ensure effective planning and management of funding, budgets and resources linked to transformation programmes and service development.
- Take responsibility for coordinating complex projects, monitoring progress and managing risks to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Contribute to the leadership of the service by supporting colleagues, promoting continuous improvement and helping deliver council priorities.
The Ideal Candidate
- Educated to degree level or equivalent with a relevant professional qualification and substantial experience within children’s services, education, public sector planning or service improvement.
- You bring strong knowledge of national and local policy relating to children’s services and an ability to translate this into practical action.
- Experience in leading significant change programmes demonstrates your ability to plan effectively, manage risks and deliver results.
- Your ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders enables you to build positive relationships and achieve shared goals.
- A strong understanding of market analysis, commissioning, procurement or option appraisal will help you make informed recommendations.
- Confidence when leading colleagues, managing workloads and supporting performance reflects our values of being Dedicated, Respectful and Collaborative.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’.
Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs.
Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week.
The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council, see attached.
