Introduction

Our vision for Leeds is to be a great place to grow up; a child friendly, inclusive, compassionate, sustainable and economically successful city where children and young people feel welcome and safe, and where they have the right opportunities and support to achieve their full potential.  A key part of this is our focus on voice and influence ensuring children and young people’s views are central to our strategy and practice. 

As with any core city and in the current post pandemic climate, Leeds has its challenges, but we are delighted that in 2018 and in 2022 Ofsted have rated us as Outstanding. We have a culture of restorative practice and a Family Valued Model that allows for relentless focus on our obsessions in our Children and Young Peoples Plan. 

About the role 

We are ambitious for our Children Looked After and have an excellent range of our own residential homes and foster carers which we are expanding to allow us to bring more children in external residentials into our own provision. 

The Head of Service for corporate parenting is pivotal to our role as a Corporate Parent, leading on our corporate parenting duties, delivering on our strategy and ensuring the right support for our Children Looked After, meeting our statutory and moral responsibilities. 

About you

Leeds has a rich tapestry of third sector, voluntary and statutory partners and we believe relationships and the ability to work with partners is central to the role. You should be someone that collaborates well - working with colleagues within the directorate and across Leeds City Council, partners, and communities to meet the needs of children and young people. 

In the current changing national landscape, we want someone to join Team Leeds who is a strategic thinker bringing innovation and drive, and as part of Team Leeds is able to shape and influence, locally, regionally and nationally. 

Leeds is an ambitious city, and if you can offer a compelling track record and the desire to build on existing good practice it will be the ideal place to drive innovation. Child Friendly Leeds is our ambition and drive - be a part of our journey. 

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level or higher and possess a diploma in Social Work or equivalent with membership of relevant professional bodies.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays

• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions

• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.

• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.

• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

For more information or to arrange a discussion about the role, please contact Farrah Khan, Deputy Director, Children’s Social Care at Farrah.Khan@leeds.gov.uk     

To request a candidate information pack, please contact: recruitment@leeds.gov.uk.

Closing date: Monday 12th February 2024

Interviews: Week commencing 4th March 2024

How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words addressing the employee specification, evidencing how you meet the criteria.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.