Directorate - Children & Young People Services

37 hours per week, permanent

Are you passionate about transforming the lives of children and young people? Do you have the vision, experience, and drive to lead a dynamic team in delivering outstanding services? If so, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council invites you to consider this new and exciting opportunity to join our Senior Leadership Team as we embark on the next phase of our ambitious journey.

At Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, we are committed to ensuring every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. Our residential care and supported accommodation services are central to this mission, providing high-quality, stable homes for children and young people. We believe that with the right support, every young person can achieve their full potential.

Our services are designed to provide stability, warmth, and opportunities for growth, helping young people to build resilience and develop the skills they need for a brighter future. As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, we are investing in our people, our homes, and our services to ensure we continue to deliver the very best outcomes.

As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will:

• Lead and Inspire: Provide direct management and strategic leadership to two Service Managers across our residential care and supported accommodation services, ensuring a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement.
• Drive Quality and Compliance: Oversee the strategic management of our children’s homes, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, and best practice standards.
• Champion Young People: Place the needs, voices, and experiences of children and young people at the heart of everything we do, advocating for their rights and ensuring their views shape our services.
• Develop Talent: Support, mentor, and develop our skilled and passionate workforce, fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Deliver Change: Contribute to the strategic development of residential services, supporting our ambitious plans for growth and innovation as we respond to the evolving needs of our community.
• Build Partnerships: Work collaboratively with colleagues across the council, partner agencies, and the wider community to ensure seamless support for children and young people.
• Support growth: ensure that we have credible plans to grow as a system, particularly in the area of supported accommodation, and ensure that we are proactive in our approach to ensure placement resources meet current and future planned demand.

We are looking for an experienced and visionary leader who shares our commitment to delivering excellent care.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Substantial leadership experience in the senior management of children’s homes or similar settings.
• A proven track record of delivering high-quality services and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and best practice in residential care.
• Exceptional people management skills, with the ability to inspire, challenge, and support colleagues at all levels.
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and making a real difference in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

If you are motivated to deliver excellent services, have the passion to lead in a fast-paced environment, and want to be part of a team that puts children and young people first, we would love to hear from you.

For more information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Stuart Williams, Assistant Director of Children’s Social Care on stuart.williams@rotherham.gov.uk.

Closing Date: 7th September 2025

Interview Date: 16th & 17th September 2025