Head of Service - Strategy, Intelligence and Planning

Head of Strategy, Intelligence and Planning

In Plymouth Children's Services we have a high-profile programme of improvement and transformation in place across our services to improve outcomes for children and young people. Our ten priorities are set out in our three-year strategic plan, Achieving Excellence. This includes working closely with partners to ensure children and families receive the right help at the right time in the right place, focused work to achieve consistently good quality practice and improve sufficiency for children in care and SEND.

We are looking for a predominantly office-based skilled and experienced senior children's services manager to establish and lead a new business critical service to provide the business planning and infrastructure requirements of our One Children's Service.

This role will report directly to the Director of Children's Services working closely with our two Service Directors (Education and Social Care). You will lead the strategy, performance, planning and intelligence functions for Children's Services ensuring effective longer term strategic planning for the service. You will lead on data management, systems development, performance and sufficiency, including SEND, children's placements, pupil-based planning and sufficiency, to deliver the provision of business-critical information and intelligence which improves the outcomes for children, young people and their families. You will have excellent leadership and communication skills and be solution focused.

The role includes ensuring the right provision is developed in line with our needs analysis, leading responsibility for School Admissions and School Transport functions, capital developments for SEND and children's homes and including accountability for associated budget control.

We are looking for an individual with:

• A proven track record of delivering improved outcomes and of working with partners to deliver a high performing service.
• Extensive knowledge across children's services, including early years, education and social care, of commissioning frameworks and legislation, as well as current and future policy developments within the social care system.
• Substantial experience of effective planning and performance management approaches, including strong commissioning experience, value for money approaches and enabling models of delivery linked to outcomes.
• Commercial acumen and budget management skills.
• Evidence of delivering innovation and able to challenge traditional ways of doing things in a positive, constructive way.

In return you will be joining a supportive leadership team committed to a 'High Expectations, High Support, High Challenge' culture where only good is good enough for Plymouth's children, young people and families. You will also have access to all of the work life benefits of the beautiful South-West region.

What We Offer:

• A supportive leadership team and an environment where the Council and the wider partnership has a strong committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.
• Access to a bespoke leadership and management development programme.
• Up to £8,000 relocation package
• 26 days paid annual leave with ability to buy more. Additional 5 days after 5 years continuous service.
• Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, Adoption and Fostering Leave
• Health & Wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme