This key senior manager post will provide leadership, vision, strategic and operational management to the four long term social work teams. The previous post holder has recently been successful in an appointment within Reading so we are looking for her replacement to work with the senior leadership team for children’s social work.
There have been significant investments in the service in developing the workforce, safeguarding and developing multi-agency early intervention services. You will get the opportunity to help further our work at a time when morale is high, staff are feeling ambitious for the children of Reading and there is an excellent understanding of our current opportunities and areas still needing improvement.
Although there is always much to do in children’s social work, this post will, in particular, help us move into a locality/area based model that mirrors the rest of children’s services in Reading.
You will be responsible for ensuring high quality social work services for children in need, in need of protection and looked after children. The post will hold the strategic lead for looked after children and work closely with the Service Manager with the strategic lead for Safeguarding.
You’ll be managing four team managers directly and have a very real opportunity to influence Readings future child care strategy and development as part of a vibrant, skilled and experienced management team.

The service manager we appoint is likely to have extensive experience at team manager level or be an existing service manager who has a proven track record of developing good services, highly motivated and has an understanding of good workforce and performance management in this field.
For more information, please contact Karen Reeve, Head of Children’s Social Care at Reading Borough Council on 0118 937 4163 or email karen.reeve@reading.gov.uk
Application forms can be downloaded or completed on-line at www.reading.gov.uk

Alternatively, email: recruitment@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 939 0039 (24 hour answerphone) quoting the relevant reference number and stating which position you are interested in.
Please do not send a CV. For the purposes of equal opportunities, we can only accept Reading Borough Council application forms.
An enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure will be sought from the successful candidate.
Closing date: 30 April 2010

Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunities For All