Strategic Manager

About the role

At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, we are on an ambitious journey to transform the way we support children and families and we are looking for a passionate and strategic leader to help us get there.

As Strategic Manager for the Families First Programme, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of family help and children's social care in Northamptonshire. You will lead our involvement in the Families First reform programme, working hand in hand with safeguarding partners to design and deliver new approaches that strengthen families, protect children, and improve outcomes across the county.

This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact to influence real system change and ensure that every child in Northamptonshire has the opportunity to thrive.

We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates so please feel free to email: and they can agree a mutually agreeable time to call you

What will you be doing?

• Leading with purpose and overseeing delivery, performance, and development of the Families First Programme to achieve outstanding outcomes for children and families.
• Shaping transformation by co-designing and testing new models of support with local partners, embedding family centred and evidence informed practice.
• Building strong partnerships and ensuring the voices of family help and children's social care are central to all programme activity and decision making.
• Driving excellence and overseeing quality, performance, and inspection readiness whilst ensuring continuous improvement across services.
• Championing the child's voice and ensuring children and families are active partners in shaping the services that affect their lives.
• Reporting and influencing to producing clear, insightful reports for senior leaders, while contributing to regional and national learning through the Families First Partnership.

About you

You are an experienced and forward thinking leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families. You combine strategic vision with the ability to turn ideas into action and inspire others to deliver their best.

You will bring:

• A recognised professional social work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, CSS) and Social Work England registration.
• Strong experience of leading complex services within children's social care or a related setting.
• A deep understanding of the Families First Programme and national reform in social care.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills confident presenting to senior stakeholders and building trusted partnerships.
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style that empowers others and drives improvement.

A postgraduate qualification in management (PgCMS, PgDMS, MBA) would be a welcome addition.

Above all, you will bring the energy, insight, and determination to help shape a service that keeps children safe, strengthens families, and supports every child to reach their potential.

At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS clearance and other pre-employment checks.

Ready to Make a Difference?

This is an incredible opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of children's social care in Northamptonshire. We are looking for someone who can start immediately and bring energy, innovation, and vision to this vital programme.

If you are ready to make an impact, apply as soon as possible we will be reviewing applications as they come in.

About us

At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.

Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.

We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.

At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.

Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.

Our benefits

We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.

We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:

• SWE Registration paid yearly
• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
• Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
• A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
• Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
• Subsidised town centre car parking scheme