Job Description
10 Month Contract With A Local Authority
Job Purpose
The Family Homes for Plymouth Children Programme Manager will lead and coordinate a flagship transformation programme within Children’s Services, focused on improving outcomes for children and families across Plymouth. The role will drive system-wide change to reduce reliance on residential care, strengthen family-based support, and develop sustainable local care solutions that keep children safe, connected to their families, and supported within their communities.
Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, and operational services, the postholder will oversee multiple interconnected workstreams to ensure the successful delivery of strategic priorities, improved outcomes for children, and financial sustainability for the Council.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the delivery of the Family Homes for Plymouth Children programme across multiple workstreams within Children’s Services.
* Coordinate strategic initiatives aimed at keeping children safely within their families and communities wherever possible.
* Support the profiling and transition of children in residential care into appropriate foster family placements.
* Work collaboratively with fostering services to strengthen support for carers managing children with specialist or complex needs.
* Oversee programme activity linked to the development of local residential care provision within Plymouth.
* Drive organisational and operational change to improve service effectiveness and achieve targeted financial efficiencies.
* Build strong working relationships with Service Directors, Strategic Directors, Councillors, and wider stakeholders to ensure programme alignment and successful delivery.
* Monitor programme outcomes, risks, budgets, and performance measures, ensuring timely reporting and corrective action where required.
* Lead and influence change across complex systems and multidisciplinary teams to embed sustainable improvements.
* Ensure all programme activity remains focused on achieving positive outcomes for children, young people, and families.
Requirements
* Significant experience in programme or transformation management within Children’s Services or a related public sector environment.
* Demonstrated experience leading large-scale change programmes within complex organisations.
* Strong understanding of children’s social care systems, including fostering, residential care, and family support services.
* Proven ability to work effectively with senior leadership teams, elected members, and multi-agency stakeholders.
* Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
* Experience delivering operational and financial improvements while maintaining high-quality service outcomes.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities, risks, and interdependent workstreams effectively.
* Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving capabilities.
* Commitment to improving outcomes for children and families through innovative and sustainable service delivery.
Additional Information
* Location: Plymouth
* Hours per week: 37
* Payment: Bi-weekly