Contract type: Fixed-term
Hours: Full-time
Department: Business and Change Team
Salary Grade 10: £37,955 to £40,787 per annum
Contact: Amy Lockwood – amy.lockwood@iow.gov.uk
Reference: 2026_1687
Location: County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight
Closing date: 21 January 2026
37 hours per week
Fixed term for 12 months
This role is office-based; however, it also offers some agile or remote working.
About Us – A Service on the Rise
We are 2 years into building a new Children's Services on the Isle of Wight, following the conclusion of our 10-year partnership with Hampshire County Council. Since then, we've made significant progress, recognised through:
* Ofsted focused visits (October 2024)
* Peer reviews
* Support and recognition from the Local Government Association
* We've introduced a new IOW MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) and a Referral & Intervention Service, creating space for Social Workers to deliver timely interventions and achieve long-lasting change for families.
Support & Protection Teams have been redesigned: Our service has been restructured with a strong focus on:
* Reduced caseloads for better work‑life balance.
* High level of management support & oversight.
* Reflective supervision to support your professional growth.
* Comprehensive training to help you thrive.
* Innovative Leadership: Our newly appointed Principal Social Worker is driving system improvements and implementing the Family First programme, ensuring families are at the heart of everything we do.
* Collaborative Culture: We believe in "Creating Change Together" - with regular all‑staff briefings and an ethos of teamwork and shared learning.
Our new senior leadership team is committed to creating a connected, child‑centred directorate, where Children's Social Care works hand‑in‑hand with Education, Inclusion, and Access services to improve outcomes for every child.
About the Role
As Families First Project Manager, you will be a key member of the Business and Change team and will provide project management support to the Families First senior responsible officer of the programme to achieve agreed targets, outcomes, and objectives, including impact measurement and evaluation.
Lead the delivery of the Families First programme by managing its structure, scheduling programme boards and workstreams and coordinating actions within the families first delivery plan.
To guide and support the team on programme and project management, business intelligence, needs analysis, and gap analysis to inform service planning, strategic decision‑making, and delivery of specific project objectives.
Job Context
* Take ownership of the project, using initiative to drive progress and resolve challenges.
* Line‑manage staff, carry out supervisions and follow the correct processes and procedures.
* Confident in leading programme governance, including organising boards and workstreams.
* Comfortable managing competing priorities and ensuring timely delivery of actions.
* Able to collaborate effectively across teams and influence stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
* Support the continuous improvement of services within the Families First Programme and children's services.
* Support the current transformation programme within Children's Services to develop the way we work with families and/or partners across the Island team.
* Manage the workstreams within the programme and ensure adequate controls and governance are in place to ensure they are delivered to plan and specification. Monitor and manage progress, change, risks, issues and provide regular, objective reports on their performance and escalating actions as required.
* Aid the implementation and management of frameworks for risk management, project management, programme management and continuous improvement.
* Provide specialist resource in project management either in assisting in the initiation of projects or to manage projects. Provide advice to the team on project management matters including appropriate documentation and governance/control.
* Understand and have ability to report on the current and expected future progress of the Families First Programme and other related projects.
Why Join Us?
* Our Vision: Creating Change Together
* Our Practice Model: Relational | Strengths‑Based | Solution‑Focused | Restorative
* Our Culture: Inclusive, supportive, and ambitious
We believe that our staff thrive when they are valued, supported, and empowered. That's why we invest in the right tools, conditions, and professional development to help you be your best.
Staff Benefits
* Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
* Local Government pension scheme
* Discounted Solent ferry travel
* Island bus network discount
* Cycle to work scheme
* Staff parking permit scheme
* Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
* National and local discounts & benefits schemes
* Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
* Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)
Equal Opportunities
We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.
We are a Disability Confident employer. If you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.
The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by:
* Unacceptable behaviour policy
* Employee code of conduct
* Our values, culture and inclusivity
The Isle of Wight Council's Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.
The Isle of Wight Council reserves the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.
The Isle of Wight Council and its schools recruit according to the council's Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
Please read the Application Guidance Notes before applying. If you are unable to complete this application, email us at careers@iow.gov.uk or telephone us on 01983 823113
Contact for application: Amy Lockwood – amy.lockwood@iow.gov.uk. Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.
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