Director of Children's Services

Build on strong foundations. Shape what comes next.

Few opportunities offer the chance to join a service that has already achieved significant improvement while still providing the scope to leave a lasting legacy.

At North Somerset Council, we have delivered substantial improvement in recent years. Strong leadership, greater financial discipline, and a relentless focus on improvement have transformed our children’s services. We have dramatically reduced the number of children in unregistered placements, strengthened our leadership team and established a culture built on openness, honesty and high support alongside high challenge.

But we are not standing still.

We are looking for an ambitious and inspiring Director of Children’s Services to lead the next phase of our journey. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, and serving as the statutory Director of Children’s Services, you will play a pivotal role in shaping outcomes for children, young people and families while contributing as a key member of our Corporate Leadership Team.

This is a role for a leader who combines strategic vision with operational grip. You will ensure continued improvement across children's social care, education, SEND and inclusion services while maintaining strong financial stewardship across a significant budget portfolio. You will also help drive wider organisational transformation, champion partnership working and ensure children's services remains at the heart of our ambitions for North Somerset.

We are looking for someone who can bring people with them. A visible and authentic leader who builds trust, creates a positive team culture, and is comfortable working in a transparent environment where constructive challenge is welcomed. You will be politically astute, commercially aware and committed to working collaboratively across organisational boundaries.

Importantly, we are open-minded about background. This could be an opportunity for an exceptional existing Director or a high-performing senior leader ready to take a significant step into a statutory role. What matters most is your attitude, values and leadership approach, alongside your ability to lead complex change, build partnerships and deliver sustainable improvement.

The context is exciting. As devolution evolves across the region, and with significant organisational change programmes underway, this is a rare opportunity to help shape not only children's services but the future direction of the wider council. Working closely with elected members, schools, partners, communities and the emerging combined authority landscape, you will influence outcomes far beyond your directorate.

We are a lean, ambitious authority with talented people, supportive members, strong corporate leadership and a determination to keep improving. If you are looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact while helping to shape the next chapter of an organisation with momentum and ambition, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, please visit: www.leadingnorthsomerset.com

For a confidential conversation, please contact our recruitment partners at Tile Hill: Helen Alwell (07931 543313), Anita Denton (07725 554802) or Zarvesha Rasool (07551 392696)

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 25th October

To apply:

To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact matthew.ashby@tile-hill.co.uk

Applications must include:

• Full contact details
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your notice period;
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk

If the organisation we’re representing is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you’d like to apply under the scheme, please mention this clearly in bold at the top of your supporting statement. If there are any adjustments that would support you during the application or interview process, please let us know.