We have started our journey in Doncaster to radically improve outcomes and services for our children and young people. A good start has been made but far more needs to be done. Major improvements are required in key services including safeguarding, children in care and education. A fit for purpose organisation is needed to deliver and sustain these improvements.

Project Directors and Project Managers
 

We want highly skilled, can do and action focused Project Directors and Managers to help us make the changes needed to create an outstanding service for children and young people in our town.

Developing robust front-line Safeguarding services to provide maximum protection for children and young people against abuse and harm is an urgent and overriding priority. Key actions we are taking to improve services include implementing a comprehensive Safeguarding Action Plan; consistent use of threshold criteria; embedding auditing and quality assurance in day to day practice; improving private fostering and reducing social work absence.

We are preparing a comprehensive strategy to develop a Children in Care Service that is a short term transition, not a long term part of children and young people's lives; where children and young people are provided with permanence and stability as quickly as possible. We want to reduce the numbers in residential care and have children in stable family placements. Above all else we want to significantly improve outcomes for children and young people in care and care leavers.

In outcome terms we see Education as our top priority. We need a local education improvement service that has a clearly defined role and strategy to improve attainment, particularly in secondary schools and post-16; improve pupil attendance and make effective provision for pupils with challenging behaviour.

Organisational Development is required to develop clear and shared strategic direction; efficient business systems; integrated multi agency services; high quality family focused early intervention and prevention; well planned and managed resources, achieving high value for money; robust performance management and effective workforce development.

We are looking for Project Directors and Project Managers, with a record of success in transforming children's services and organisations. We are seeking to engage these either through fixed term employment contracts or through service contracts at very competitive day rates. Employment contracts will be offered at circa £60,000 for Project Directors and circa £45,000 for Project Managers.

ROLE NOW CLOSED

Doncaster Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced CRB check.