Executive Director of Children's Services

Executive Director of Children's Services

West Sussex County Council

• Tile Hill, West Midlands


• Permanent


• Full-time


• 12 hours ago

Salary: Competitive

Join us - and lead the next chapter of our transformation. West Sussex is a county of contrast and opportunity. From our vibrant coastal towns to our rural heartlands, we are proud of our communities and ambitious for our children.

Over the past six years, West Sussex's Children's Services have undergone a remarkable transformation. From a challenging Ofsted rating in 2019, we've delivered sustained, positive change across the board - praised by inspectors and underpinned by strong leadership, embedded practice, and a culture of care and ambition.

Now, we're looking for a new Director of Children's Services to consolidate, continue and accelerate that progress. This is a pivotal moment. You will provide strategic and professional leadership across all children's services, including social care, safeguarding, SEND, education, and early help. You'll work closely with our Executive Leadership Team, elected members, schools, and partners to deliver better outcomes for children and families across the county.

This is a role for a leader who understands that culture is everything. We've built a strong, stable team and a service where staff feel supported, inspired, and empowered to deliver their best. You'll need to bring that same energy - engaging with people, building trust, and giving teams the confidence to thrive to deliver better outcomes for children and families across the county.

You'll be joining a council that's fully behind you. You'll be supported by a strong team, a committed Chief Executive, and a political leadership that is passionate about children's services and you'll be working with the grain of an organisation that wants you to succeed. Financial pressures are real, but we've focused on investing to save, not cutting to cope. The next phase will demand courage and creativity - particularly around high-need placements and system-wide solutions.

You'll need to be a strategic thinker, a skilled collaborator, and a visible leader. You'll work across the system - with schools, trusts, health, police, and the voluntary sector - to deliver joined-up services that make a real difference. And you'll be part of a senior leadership team that's evolving and ambitious, in a council that's outward-looking and on the rise.

We're especially keen to hear from candidates who bring diverse perspectives and lived experience, and who can help us build a leadership team that reflects the communities we serve.

This is more than a job. It's a chance to make a lasting difference.

How to Apply

For further information or to apply, please visit:

Or you can contact our recruitment partners at; Helen Alwell - , or Anita Denton - .

Closing date: Thursday 03 July at 14:00pm

Available documents

West Sussex County Council

#s1-Gen

Join us - and lead the next chapter of our transformation.
West Sussex is a county of contrast and opportunity. From our vibrant coastal towns to our rural heartlands, we are proud of our communities and ambitious for our children.
Over the past six years, West Sussex's Children's Services have undergone a remarkable transformation. From a challenging Ofsted rating in 2019, we've delivered sustained, positive change across the board-praised by inspectors and underpinned by strong leadership, embedded practice, and a culture of care and ambition.
Now, we're looking for a new Director of Children's Services to consolidate, continue and accelerate that progress. This is a pivotal moment. You will provide strategic and professional leadership across all children's services, including social care, safeguarding, SEND, education, and early help. You'll work closely with our Executive Leadership Team, elected members, schools, and partners to deliver better outcomes for children and families across the county.
This is a role for a leader who understands that culture is everything. We've built a strong, stable team and a service where staff feel supported, inspired, and empowered to deliver their best. You'll need to bring that same energy-engaging with people, building trust, and giving teams the confidence to thrive to deliver better outcomes for children and families across the county.
You'll be joining a council that's fully behind you. You'll be supported by a strong team, a committed Chief Executive, and a political leadership that is passionate about children's services and you'll be working with the grain of an organisation that wants you to succeed. Financial pressures are real, but we've focused on investing to save, not cutting to cope. The next phase will demand courage and creativity-particularly around high-need placements and system-wide solutions.
You'll need to be a strategic thinker, a skilled collaborator, and a visible leader. You'll work across the system-with schools, trusts, health, police, and the voluntary sector-to deliver joined-up services that make a real difference. And you'll be part of a senior leadership team that's evolving and ambitious, in a council that's outward-looking and on the rise.
We're especially keen to hear from candidates who bring diverse perspectives and lived experience, and who can help us build a leadership team that reflects the communities we serve.
This is more than a job. It's a chance to make a lasting difference.