Assistant Director Children & Families

Every child deserves the best possible start in life.

Hartlepool is a close-knit and ambitious borough where improving outcomes for children and families is at the heart of everything we do. Home to an Outstanding Children's Services department, and with strong support for children’s services and a genuine commitment to collaboration, this is an opportunity to join a leadership team focused on making a lasting difference. We are looking for an exceptional children’s social care leader to join us as Assistant Director, Children and Families and help shape the future of services for children, young people and families across the borough.

As Assistant Director, you will lead a significant portfolio that includes safeguarding, child protection, children in care, fostering and adoption, residential services, care leavers, youth justice and family support services. Working closely with senior colleagues across the directorate and wider partnership system, you will drive improvement, champion high‑quality practice and ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.

You will play a key role in shaping strategic priorities, strengthening partnerships and delivering better outcomes for children and young people.

Building on the strong foundations of an Outstanding Children’s Services department, you will bring the leadership, credibility and ambition needed to sustain excellence, drive continuous improvement and respond confidently to future challenges. You will be someone who can translate vision into action, inspire high‑performing teams, build effective partnerships and lead with integrity, compassion and ambition.

In return, you will join an authority that values collaboration, innovation and collective leadership.

• competitive salary
• access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• generous annual leave
• hybrid working arrangements
• employee wellbeing support
• comprehensive benefits package

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children, young people and families in a borough that is determined to continue improving and delivering the very best services.

If you are an inspiring leader with the ambition, compassion and drive to make a lasting difference, this is your opportunity to shape services, influence communities and improve the lives of children and families across Hartlepool.

Closing Date for Applications:
Midnight Monday 24th August 2026

Technical interviews (virtual):
Wednesday 9th or Thursday 10th September

Final Panel:
Monday 21stSeptember

Please note these dates may be subject to change.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals.

Hartlepool Borough Council are a Disability Confident Leader. If you’d like to apply under the scheme, please mention this clearly in bold at the top of your supporting statement.