Head of Service

**Head of Service Provider Services** **Salary: SM4C (£**60,762-67,141**per annum)** **Contract: Permanent** **Closing date: 26 October 2025** **Location: Borough-wide, main office locations Trafford Town Hall or Sale Waterside** **We are looking to add a passionate leader to our Social Care Leadership Team** Here in Trafford we are ambitious for our children & young people and their families. We know that the best way to achieve change for children is by supporting our practitioners and managers, enabling them to be the best versions of themselves professionally. We want all children and families to benefit from high quality and purposeful relationships with those who are working with them. We believe this will help create the best opportunities to empower change, as we look to implementing the Families First Reforms. Our vision is that at all levels, our interventions make life better for children and families and we have the core value of ‘would this be good enough for my child’ as a key foundation. We also believe one of the most effective ways to improve the outcomes for children and families is through providing our practitioners and managers with the best conditions in which they can thrive. We have a One Service vision across Children’s Services as we are all working towards the same goal of making life better for our children, young people and their families. **Head of Service Provider Services** An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Service Provider Services. The Head of Service role profiles give clarity about the lead areas for this role and how it interfaces with other service areas You will help further develop the fostering services modernisation plan, reviewing and re-shaping our residential service, which is going through a period of change, and ensuring our staying put, supported lodgings and 16+ provision continues to grow to meet our young people’s needs. We are looking for experienced leaders with proven track record of improving practice and delivery of services to children and families in a relational way. The Head of Service will lead and set in partnership with the Director of Children’s Social Care the vision and direction of the service. They will hold managers and practitioners to account to achieve high standards of practice in this service area and will take responsibility for the impact and outcomes of practice delivered to children and families in the service. **Our commitment to you** We believe that when you come to work within Childrens Services in Trafford, we have a responsibility to you to create the right conditions to undertake the role you are appointed to. These include a through induction programme, regular supervision, development opportunities at all levels and a commitment to ensure workloads are manageable. You would be joining a very supportive Corporate and individual service area. **A note from Pamela Wharton, Director of Social Care.** - “Thank you for showing your interest in a role here in Trafford. I hope that you find the information we have provided helpful and that you feel that Trafford is somewhere you want to come and work. _ **About you** **About us** In Trafford our approach is strengths-based, using relational and restorative practice. Our recent Ofsted report referred to our "relational model of social work practice, which is well regarded by the wider workforce, has been successfully implemented.” We believe that a culture and environment in which our managers and social workers can thrive is an essential element of improving outcomes for children and families. To support this, we have invested in a 3-year programme with relational specialists Strengthening Practice to provide ongoing training and enhance our social workers’ personal development. Our 2023 Ofsted report recognised this, noting a “cultural shift (that) has been underpinned by a strong training offer to support social workers to develop the skills they need to provide a better service to children”. Trafford Council and its partners in the public, private and third sectors have a Vision which sees us working together to close inequality gaps and maximise Trafford’s huge potential. **Our vision: Trafford where all our residents, businesses and communities prosper.** Trafford is a lively, prosperous place to put down roots and build a career. The council and Trafford schools employ around 8,000 people, who are central to making the area great. In return for their commitment, the council offers its employees development opportunities, as well as a fair and flexible workplace. The council is a Living Wage Employer. Trafford is a place where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive, and our corporate priorities are: - The best start for children and young people - Healthy and independent lives for everyone - A thriving economy for all - Address the climate crisis - Culture, sport and heritage for everyone. **Additional Information**