Your new place of work

Sefton is a vibrant local authority on a journey of aspiration and ambition as it works towards delivering its exciting Vision 2030. This journey is shared with our partners and communities as we strive to ensure Sefton is a confident and connected Borough.

Sefton has the best of both worlds, from the vibrant city of Liverpool to the south, to miles of fantastic coastline and respected green spaces in the north. The borough is internationally recognised for its outstanding natural beauty and commitment to sustainability. Sefton communities look out for each other. We focus on our similarities and diversities but never on our differences, working together to live a fruitful life.

Sefton has a strong track record of partnership working and place leadership, and for having a motivated and dedicated workforce that is resilient and adaptable, it puts the Council in the best possible place to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Within Children’s Services, we pride ourselves on being an open, co-operative team that is absolutely committed to delivering best services and placing children, young people and their families at the heart of all we do. There is an energy in Sefton that reflects who we are and where we want to be. We are a team that celebrates innovation and recognises that sometimes the traditional approach to social work isn’t always the best. Like all Children’s Services we have our challenges, but we are meeting these challenges head on with our dedicated, creative and passionate colleagues from across the Council and the wider partnership.

We have high aspirations for our children and young people; we want them to be heard, happy, healthy, and given wonderful opportunities to achieve. We want the same for our employees – our people, who are our most important asset. Our aim is to attract the best practitioners to Sefton, for them to enjoy their work, bring new ideas and choose to progress their careers here.

If you share our passion, want to make real change and want to be part of our great team, now is the time to join Sefton Children’s Services, an organisation going places!

About the Team

Children Services are developing a transformation programme that will drive the improvement plan and in turn improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people and families. This holistic programme focuses on projects spanning organisational development and embedding a new social care operating and practice model, workforce development as well as service specific projects spanning Early Help through to Corporate Parenting, as well as SEND services. We are now looking for a Service Development & Transformation Programme Manager to provide leadership of this high profile and what will be a fast-paced change programme.

Our Aim

The Children’s Services Improvement Programme is integral to achieving a desired step change in both culture and approach across Children’s Social Care and Education Excellence 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 Assistant 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 develop a programme team who will need to be 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 is developed and 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 skilled and responsive at horizon scanning, mitigating risks associated with the programmes and high-level problem solving.

You will have a genuine interest and understanding of Children’s Services and associated sectors, especially Health. 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, people management, financial and performance management and report writing skills.

Shortlisting Criteria

As part of your application we request your application and personal statement evidence how you meet the following criteria:

• Experience of working in a Children's setting
• Programme management and/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

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

Sefton Metropolitan Council is 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.

Equal Opportunities

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.