Job Description:

Transformation & Improvement Lead – Children’s Services

Contract: 18+ month ongoing contract
Rate: £500–£625 per day – Inside IR35
Working Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days per week onsite (non-negotiable)

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced Transformation & Improvement Lead – Children’s Services to join Bedford Borough Council on a long-term interim contract.

This is a senior, Head of Service-level transformation position and would suit an established transformation and improvement leader with significant experience delivering complex change programmes within Local Authority Children’s Services.

The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and delivering the Children’s Services transformation and improvement agenda, working closely with the Director of Children’s Services, Heads of Service, senior managers and operational teams.

We are not simply looking for a Programme Manager. We are looking for someone who understands Children’s Services transformation at a strategic and operational level and can demonstrate where they have personally led complex change through to implementation and measurable improvement.

The Ideal Candidate

• Significant experience leading transformation and improvement programmes within Local Authority Children’s Services.
• Previous experience operating at Head of Service, Head of Transformation, Head of Improvement or equivalent senior level.
• A strong understanding of frontline Children’s Services and the challenges facing Local Authorities.
• Experience delivering complex change across areas such as Children’s Social Care, Early Help, SEND, Education and Children & Families services.
• A proven track record of translating strategic objectives into practical and deliverable transformation programmes.
• Experience of service redesign, operating model transformation, workforce change, demand management and process improvement.
• The credibility to work directly with Directors, Heads of Service, senior managers and frontline operational teams.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills with the ability to challenge existing ways of working while bringing senior leaders and operational teams through change.
• Evidence of delivering sustainable improvements in service performance, efficiency and outcomes for children, young people and families.

As Transformation & Improvement Lead, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of complex Children’s Services transformation and improvement programmes.
• Provide senior leadership across transformation, programme and change activity supporting the Children’s Services improvement agenda.
• Work closely with the Director of Children’s Services, senior leadership team and Heads of Service to turn strategic priorities into deliverable programmes of change.
• Lead transformation and service improvement across Children’s Social Care, Early Help, SEND, Education and wider Children & Families services, where required.
• Review existing services, processes and operating models to identify opportunities for service redesign, improved outcomes and efficiencies.
• Develop and implement new service models that respond effectively to changing demand and the needs of children, young people and families.
• Establish clear programmes, workstreams, deliverables, milestones and measurable outcomes.
• Develop robust programme governance, benefits-realisation arrangements and performance measures.
• Provide constructive challenge to existing processes, structures and ways of working.
• Ensure transformation activity results in tangible and sustainable improvements, rather than simply the completion of project activity.
• Bring together operational Children’s Services teams, transformation teams and corporate functions to successfully deliver change.
• Build strong relationships with Directors, Heads of Service, elected members, partners and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and manage programme risks, dependencies and barriers to delivery.
• Use data, performance information and service insight to identify transformation priorities and demonstrate impact.
• Produce clear reports, recommendations and presentations for senior leadership teams, transformation boards and other governance forums.

Other Transformation & Improvement Lead Opportunities

Alongside the Children’s Services position, we are also recruiting three further Transformation & Improvement Leads within:

• Adult Services
• Corporate / Organisational Development / Back Office Functions
• Environmental, Property & Assets

If your transformation experience is stronger within one of these areas, we would still be interested in hearing from you.