Job Introduction
Milton Keynes City Council is committed to providing high-quality support services to children and young people in our community.
We believe in fostering a nurturing environment where children can thrive, and parents can access the resources they need to support their families effectively. Our Family Support Services play a crucial role in achieving these goals, and we are looking for an exceptional leader to join our team as the Head of Service.
As Head of Family Support Services, you will be responsible for leading and managing the delivery of services that support and protect children and young people in Milton Keynes. Your leadership will be vital in ensuring that our services are responsive, effective, and aligned with the needs of the community.
You’ll lead our Multi Agency Support Hub (MASH), Family Support Teams, Early Help Services and Children with Disabilities Services. You’ll work alongside multidisciplinary teams, local stakeholders, and community organisations to develop strategies that promote children and young people’s safety and wellbeing.
Interviews for this role will take place on 9 December.
Main Responsibility
- Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the Family Support Services.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of safeguarding services for children and young people.
- Collaborate with external partners, including schools, healthcare providers, and community organisations, to enhance service delivery.
- Lead and mentor a team of professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Ensure compliance with local and national legislation, policies, and best practices related to children’s safeguarding.
- Manage budgets and resources effectively to maximise service delivery and outcomes for families.
- Engage with families and communities to understand their needs and ensure services are accessible and inclusive.
- Drive initiatives that promote early intervention and prevention, reducing the need for more intensive support.
The Ideal Candidate
- A relevant professional qualification in social work.
- Extensive experience in managing child protection services.
- A track record in performance driven leadership enabling positive outcomes for children through performance analysis.
- Proven leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse service.
- Strong understanding of the challenges facing families in the community and a commitment to improving their wellbeing.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and professionals.
- A strategic thinker with a track record of developing and implementing successful initiative.
Driving Licence and Vehicle Insurance with Business Insurance
For this role, the candidate is required to have a Full UK Driving Licence, along with access to a Vehicle.
Evidence of the Driving Licence and Vehicle Insurance with Business Insurance will be required from the candidate should they be offered this position. Without this documentation the candidate will not be appointable.
DBS Enhanced
Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).
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 and a childcare subsidy.
- 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 – 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.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
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.
