Director of Childrens Social Care

Croydon is changing. We are a borough with great assets: a proud and diverse community, strong partnerships, a dynamic economy, a dedicated and committed workforce, the largest child population in London and the scale to shape London’s future. We will also not shy away from our challenges. Following an unprecedented financial crisis, Croydon has been on a determined journey of recovery: stabilising our finances; strengthening governance; and rebuilding trust with residents.

A key part of improvements we have delivered includes being proud to have back-to-back good Ofsted inspection outcomes. Your role will be to provide clear-sighted leadership to ensure we continue to improve the quality of children’s services.

You will inherit good foundations: improving Ofsted inspection outcomes, a stabilised financial position, and a brave and innovative transformation programme which is already actively underway.

We will look to you to lead a whole-system transformation of how children’s social care works - reshaping services, driving cultural change, and building children’s services that consistently strengthen outcomes for children.

This role demands visible, resilient and values-driven leadership. You will:

• Lead Croydon’s continued Ofsted and HMIP inspection improvements and ensure long-term sustainability
• Lead the transformation of children’s social care
• Develop our high-performing, unified leadership team
• Strengthen partnerships across the council, with borough strategic partners positioning Croydon as a confident and influential London region partner

We are looking for an exceptional senior leader who has led large, complex organisation change and improvement in children’s social care. You will bring deep insight into improving children’s services with the ability to inspire confidence at every level.

Most of all, you will share our belief that Croydon’s future will be one of outstanding services for children.

Croydon Council’s priorities

The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services

• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities

Key business plan outcomes

• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council’s new ways of working

Equal Opportunities Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.

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