Interim Programme Lead Children's Social Care Transformation

INTERIM PROGRAMME LEAD CHILDREN'S SOCIAL CARE TRANSFORMATION

Location:

Local Authority (Hybrid Working - 2 Days Office Based)

Contract:

Interim / Fixed-Term Contract Until March 2027

Day Rate: £800 per day

Connect2

Dorset is a managed service agency owned by Dorset Council, offering temporary, contract and interim opportunities within the Council. Our work is guided by strong values ethical practice, trust, and genuine care and every penny of our profit goes back into supporting our Local Authority communities

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Interim Programme Lead to drive a high-profile Children's Social Care Transformation Programme within a progressive Local Authority.

This Senior Leadership role will lead the design, implementation and delivery of large-scale transformation across Children's Social Care, Early Help, Corporate Parenting and Family Support Services, ensuring improved outcomes for children, young people and families.

Reporting into the Assistant Director for Children's Social Care Transformation, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a complex portfolio of programmes, service redesign initiatives and financial sustainability projects.

• Lead a major Children's Social Care Transformation Programme
• Deliver complex system-wide change across Children's Services
• Manage a transformation budget of £1.3m and support delivery of £6m efficiency targets
• Provide leadership to Programme Managers, Project Managers and Change Teams
• Develop and deliver strategic transformation plans aligned to organisational priorities
• Drive service redesign, innovation and continuous improvement
• Ensure effective programme governance, risk management and reporting
• Build strong partnerships across Health, Education, Safeguarding and Local Government stakeholders
• Lead organisational change, cultural transformation and workforce development
• Use data, performance intelligence and financial analysis to drive decision-making

• Corporate Parenting & Sufficiency Programme
• Children's Homes Development & Placement Sufficiency
• Family Resilience & Safeguarding Transformation
• Children with Disabilities Service Redesign
• Family Hubs & Best Start in Life Programme
• Early Help Transformation
• Families First Partnership Programme
• Strategic Partnerships & Joint Funding
• Digital Transformation & AI Innovation
• Directorate-Wide Financial Sustainability Programmes

We are seeking a highly credible transformation leader with:

• Significant experience delivering Children's Social Care Transformation programmes
• Strong Programme Management and Change Management expertise
• Experience working within a Local Authority or Public Sector environment
• Proven success in service redesign, improvement and financial transformation
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary transformation teams
• Ability to operate effectively in complex political and organisational environments
• Excellent strategic, analytical and leadership capabilities

• £800 per day
• Hybrid Working (2 Days Office Based)
• High-Profile Strategic Leadership Role
• Long-Term Contract Until March 2027
• Opportunity to Lead System-Wide Children's Services Transformation
• Work with Senior Local Government Leaders and Strategic Partners
• Meaningful Impact on Outcomes for Children, Young People and Families

Connect2

Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2

Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates