Head of Children's Homes and Family Time

**Suffolk County Council**:

- ** Address**:**Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
- ** Salary**:£72,329 - £81,708 per annum (pro rata if part time)
- ** Hours**:_ _**37 hours per week_,_ flexible working options available
- ** Contract**:_ _**Permanent

Are you a dynamic and visionary leader passionate about improving outcomes for Children in Care? Suffolk County Council is looking for a **Head of Children’s Homes and Family Time Services** to shape, lead and continuously improve our provision for children and their families across the county.

**Your role**

As Head of Service, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering high-quality, compassionate care for children in our residential homes and ensuring meaningful family connections through our Family Time Service.

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting, you will be part of the senior leadership team, driving strategic development, operational excellence, transformation and innovation across the service.

You will also act as the Responsible Individual for our regulated provision, ensuring compliance with national standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and co-production with children, families, and partners.

**Your responsibilities**
- Strategic leadership and operational oversight of Children’s Homes and Family Time Services
- Development and implementation of a refreshed Children’s Homes Strategy
- Ensuring high-quality, safe, and nurturing homes for Children in Care
- Developing and implementing Suffolk’s approach to supporting vulnerable children in or on the edge of the care system
- Building strong partnerships and integrated service planning with internal and external stakeholders
- Leading on service workforce development and budget management
- Representation at political forums and contribution to countywide strategic planning

**You will need**
- A Social Work degree and significant senior leadership experience in children’s services
- Experience as a Responsible Individual with a track record of achieving Good/Outstanding Ofsted outcomes
- Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, safeguarding, and service commissioning
- Inspirational leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to equity and inclusion 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)**.**

**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**

**For more information**

**How to apply**

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

**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.

**Closing date: 11.30pm, 17 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

**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).