Programme Manager – Family Homes for Plymouth Children

Proposed start date: 8th June 2026
Assignment duration: 44 weeks
Hours: 37 per week
Location: Plymouth PL1 (4 days in office, 1 day remote)
Rate: £625 per day
DBS: Enhanced DBS required
Closing date: 29th May 2026

About the Opportunity
We are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of our client, who are seeking an outstanding Programme Manager to lead one of the most ambitious and high‑profile transformation programmes within Children’s Services: Family Homes for Plymouth Children.

This programme is at the heart of the Council’s commitment to redesigning how children and families in crisis are supported. It brings together multiple workstreams, partners, and stakeholders to create a more responsive, compassionate, and effective system for children who may require residential care or intensive support.
This is a rare opportunity to shape a programme that will directly influence the lives, safety, and long‑term outcomes of children across Plymouth.

About the Programme
The Family Homes for Plymouth Children programme aims to fundamentally reshape how the system supports children and families. The successful candidate will lead workstreams that focus on:

Keeping children safe and, wherever possible, within their families
Profiling children currently in residential care and matching them with foster families
Strengthening the support offer for foster carers, enabling them to care for children with specialist or complex needs
Developing new, high‑quality care homes within Plymouth so children can remain close to their families, schools, and support networks
Supporting the Council’s ambition to achieve £8m in savings this financial year through improved practice, system redesign, and better outcomes

This programme is both socially impactful and financially critical, making the Programme Manager role central to the Council’s strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities
As the Programme Manager, you will act as the driving force behind the programme’s delivery. Responsibilities include:

Leading, coordinating, and integrating multiple workstreams across Children’s Services
Working closely with Service Directors, Strategic Directors, Councillors, and external partners
Providing strategic leadership while also being hands‑on in operational delivery
Managing programme governance, reporting, risk, and benefits realisation
Ensuring the programme delivers measurable improvements for children and families
Influencing senior stakeholders and securing buy‑in across a complex organisation
Ensuring compliance with safeguarding standards and maintaining an Enhanced DBS

This role requires someone who can operate confidently at pace, navigate complexity, and bring clarity and structure to a multi‑layered programme.

What Our Client Is Looking For
Our client is seeking a catalyst for change, someone who can unite people, processes, and priorities to deliver meaningful transformation.
You will bring:

Significant experience within Children’s Services
A proven track record of delivering large‑scale change in complex organisations
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills
The ability to influence at all levels, including senior political and operational leaders
Experience managing multi‑disciplinary teams and cross‑cutting programmes
A proactive, solutions‑focused approach
An Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain one prior to starting)

This role goes beyond traditional programme management, it requires someone who can lead, shape, and embed system‑wide change.

Why This Role Matters
This is an exceptional opportunity to join a team committed to improving outcomes for Plymouth’s children. You will be at the centre of a programme that:

Strengthens families
Reduces reliance on residential care
Builds local provision
Improves long‑term outcomes for children
Delivers significant financial benefits for the Council

If you are passionate about making a difference and confident in navigating complex environments, we would be excited to receive your application.

The client has advised this role is being advertised as a short‑term contract to ensure immediate programme leadership and continuity for this critical transformation. There is the potential for permanent positions to be created later in the financial year, which may take on these responsibilities on a long‑term basis.

If you’re ready for a rewarding role that keeps you moving and makes a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. Apply using the link below or if you have any further questions, please contact Emily on 01752 601116 for more information.

Due to the high volume of applications expected, we may be unable to respond to everyone individually. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted. Please continue to check for other opportunities with Pertemps.

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