Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment. The purpose of the role is to ensure that services for children, young people, families, and carers are delivered in line with legislation, government guidance, council policy, and best practice. To work to improve outcomes and ensure independent scrutiny for Children in Care, and reviews for foster carers. To ensure that we deliver an effective LADO service ensuring the safeguarding of all children in Cheshire West and Chester. The post-holder will ensure services and practice is aligned with the Families First for Children framework and local priorities. We are looking for somebody who meets the following requirements: Degree level or equivalent qualification in Social Work and Regulatory body registration. Experience in managing children’s services teams at an operational level. Demonstrable track record in overseeing statutory reviews for children and ensuring such reviews are carried out within statutory and service performance and practice standards, and they are child-focused, inclusive, and outcome-driven. Strong understanding of the Families First for Children framework and safeguarding principles. Deep understanding of Children’s legislation and statutory guidance including Care Planning Regulations, Placements and Case Review regulations. Ability to lead and motivate staff to deliver high quality services that improve outcomes for children and families. Excellent safeguarding knowledge, experience of care planning for children and families. Skilled in partnership working, service delivery, and performance management. In return, we will offer you: -An excellent work-life balance, flexible and remote working arrangements. -You’ll get free parking at all our office locations, and we’ll pay your Social Work England Registration. -You’ll benefit from competitive working rewards and up to 16 days ‘flexi time’ per year as well as your annual leave of 26 days per year if you have less than 5 years continuous service and 31 days if you have over 5 years. -Competitive salary -Grow your own culture – we have a career progression structure to support your professional development. -Working rewards – we have a variety of schemes available to employees which include; additional annual leave, care and cycle purchase scheme, home and electronics purchase scheme in addition to discounts at a wide range of high street and online retailers. -Pension scheme – our Local Government Pension Scheme is a career average pension scheme with employee contributions of between 5.5% and 8.5% and the employer contribution currently of 23.8%. the scheme includes ill health and death in service benefits after two years membership. -Employee assistance programme – 24 hours, seven day a week lifestyle support for when you or your family need a listening ear from a qualified advisor on a wide range of personal or work issues. For an informal discussion about the post please contact Anna Johnson - anna.johnson@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or Paul Jenkins - paul.jenkins@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Closing date for this role is 23 rd November, with interviews to be held on 11/12 th December 2025. Please note that this job is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you! Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment. Please see the Equality Policy for more information. Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £12.60 per hour for all contracted hours. For any technical enquiries please email Sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk and quote job reference number in all correspondence.