Welcome to Sutton
Sutton is one of the highest performing councils in the country and has great ambitions for its future.
Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care & Safeguarding
We are looking for a leader that will reinforce our good practice and drive us to be better. A leader that will reinforce our focus on partnerships and approach to integration, adopting the best models for our residents and communities. Our whole family approach in Sutton ensures we hear directly from children, young people, parents, and carers, which in turn shapes what we do, and how we do it.
This is truly a great opportunity that will give you stretch, challenge, and reward. You will find Sutton a great place to work with supportive and collaborative colleagues and partners, a clear sense of purpose and a strong focus on community, setting you up for success.
Introduction from Jonathan Williams, Director Children’s Services
Dear Candidate
Thank you for your interest in Sutton and in the role of Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care & Safeguarding.
Here in Sutton we pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming Borough and we aim to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve. We are respectful of difference and realise the positive value of diversity in our overall workforce and specifically in our children’s social care department and senior leadership team. We welcome job applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from Black and Multi Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.
We recognise that our workforce is our greatest asset, and make it a priority to listen to what our children’s social care practitioners think and feel about working as part of our Sutton’s children’s services team.
We are looking for a team player, who likes working in partnership and who knows how to get the best from partners and how to get the very best for Sutton and its community. We are looking for a leader who will ensure that our Children’s Social Care services are not only reshaped in line with the MacAlister review, but are delivered with passion and humanity. We want to hear from people who are excited by the challenge, who are great advocates for the borough and who can bring a collaborative and inclusive approach to this role.
If you are excited by this, you will find us a welcoming and supportive place to work, but not unchallenging. Our population is growing and changing, with greater diversity and new demands for service and support. This is hardly surprising as Sutton has always been known as a great place to live, with well renowned schools, high quality green places and a low crime rate.
As can be seen in our recent Ofsted report the services offered to children and young people here in Sutton have been rated as ‘good’ and the impact of our leaders on social work practice with children and their families has been rated as ‘outstanding’ – we’re in a very good place and can offer a supportive and safe environment for someone looking to take their next step.
As Assistant Director you will play an important role in a range of core business including:
- Oversight and accountability of performance
- Implementation and development of the transformation of children’s services
- Leading, developing and managing relationships with key partners both internally and externally
- Oversight and assurance of savings and achieving a balanced budget
- Ensuring compliance with all necessary statutory and regulatory standards
You will need to be a visible and approachable leader to children’s services staff and key partners, be able to provide expert advice and guidance on matters relating to statutory social work and also be a corporate leader. You’ll play a key role in contributing to the corporate goals of the Council and supporting our Members in achieving their ambitions for the Borough and its residents.
Does this sound like you? We’d love to hear from you.
Jonathan Williams
Director Children’s Services