Head of Service in Birkenhead, Metropolitan Borough of Wirral

Job Opportunity: Head of Service – Home Again Programme

Location: Merseyside
Pay Rate: £449.92 per day (Umbrella)
Organisation: Cheshire & Merseyside Regional Care Cooperative
Grade: Head of Service – Local Authority Scale EPO25 / NHS Band 8d–9
Contract: Agency Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for an experienced and visionary Head of Service – Home Again to provide strategic, operational and professional leadership for an innovative regional programme across Cheshire and Merseyside.

This is an exciting senior leadership opportunity to lead the development and delivery of a specialist service supporting children and young people with complex needs, particularly those at risk of placement instability, restrictive care environments, Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) arrangements or escalation into high-cost specialist provision.

Working in partnership with local authorities, NHS organisations, education, youth justice and other regional partners, you will play a pivotal role in transforming services and improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for the Home Again Programme.
• Lead the mobilisation, implementation and ongoing delivery of the regional service model.
• Develop and implement the programme's strategic vision, operating model and delivery plans.
• Establish and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary workforce.
• Develop effective referral pathways, assessment processes and intervention models.
• Promote innovative, evidence-based and child-centred approaches to service delivery.
• Build strong partnerships with Directors of Children's Services, NHS leaders, education providers, commissioners and youth justice services.
• Drive collaboration and shared accountability across partner organisations.
• Represent the programme at regional and national forums, partnership boards and governance meetings.
• Establish robust quality assurance, performance monitoring and reporting arrangements.
• Monitor programme outcomes, milestones and benefits realisation.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation, statutory requirements and regulatory frameworks.
• Manage programme budgets, resources and financial planning to ensure value for money.
• Identify and manage strategic risks, issues and mitigation plans.
• Ensure alignment with other regional initiatives, including Appropriate Places of Care, CNEST and Gateway.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Significant senior leadership and management experience within Children's Social Care, health or integrated public services.
• Experience leading complex service transformation and strategic change programmes.
• Strong knowledge of children with complex needs, placement instability and safeguarding.
• Understanding of Deprivation of Liberty arrangements and restrictive care environments.
• Experience developing and implementing new service models and multidisciplinary approaches.
• Extensive experience of partnership working across local authorities, NHS, education and youth justice.
• Experience managing budgets, resources and financial planning.
• Strong understanding of governance, quality assurance, performance management and risk management.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organisational change.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, communication and leadership skills.

What's on Offer?

£449.92 per day (Umbrella).

High-profile senior leadership opportunity.

Opportunity to lead an innovative regional transformation programme.

Work collaboratively with local authorities, NHS organisations and regional partners.

Opportunity to shape specialist services for children and young people with complex needs.

Play a key role in improving placement stability, safeguarding and long-term outcomes.

Mandatory: Must have a UK Passport or Full Right to Work in the UK 

Location

Merseyside – Cheshire & Merseyside Regional Care Cooperative

Interested?

If you are an experienced senior leader with a strong background in Children's Services, strategic transformation and partnership development, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to be considered for this exciting Head of Service – Home Again opportunity!

For more information, contact Natasha Haddon.