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Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary:£88,225 - £105,726 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:37 hours per week, flexible working options available. Weekend on-call rota participation required
• Contract:Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, we are reimagining the future for children and young people. As our new Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of children in care, care leavers, and families across Suffolk. This is your opportunity to lead with purpose, compassion, and strategic vision.

Your role and responsibilities

As Assistant Director, you will lead our Corporate Parenting services, ensuring that every child in our care receives the support, stability, and opportunities they deserve.

You will provide strategic leadership across a wide portfolio including Fostering, Adoption, Family Time, Children in Care, Children's Homes, Leaving Care and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children. You will also chair key governance boards such as the Corporate Parenting Board.

You will ensure services are compliant, high-performing, and child-centred. You will champion reunification, drive inspection readiness, and embed a culture of excellence and accountability.

You will need:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
• Proven leadership in children's services, with a track record of service transformation and cultural change
• Deep understanding of safeguarding, regulatory frameworks, and inspection readiness (ILACS, HMIP)
• A collaborative, values-driven approach aligned with our WE ASPIRE values
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and young people

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word) and the supporting Role Addendum (Word).

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Suffolk County Council is on an exciting improvement journey. With a new DCS and a refreshed leadership team, we are committed to delivering outstanding services for children and families. You will join a supportive, ambitious, and forward-thinking service that values innovation, inclusion, and professional growth.

Join us and be part of a team that supports your development from the start, helps you diversify your skills, and builds an influential and impactful career.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Hayley Griffin for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing hayley.griffin@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word) and Role Addendum (Word).

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a CV and covering letter (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailingrecruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor calling 03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 20 August 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).