This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a city where every child and young person is seen, supported and able to belong. As Assistant Director – Belonging, you will lead services that remove barriers, strengthen inclusion and help children, families, schools and communities thrive.

What we do

Our Belonging services work alongside children, families, schools, settings and partners to champion inclusion, SEND, access, education and the support children need to succeed.

Key responsibilities

Lead and improve key Belonging services with compassion, ambition and a clear focus on impact.
Work with schools, partners, families and communities to build trust, strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes.
Lead change, quality assurance and service development, while helping shape the wider leadership of the Council.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a thoughtful, values-led senior leader who builds trust, works collaboratively and brings people with them. With a strong track record of improving children’s services, you will be confident leading change, working in partnership and navigating complex statutory, political and multi-agency environments.

Why Sheffield?

Sheffield is a proud, diverse and welcoming city with strong communities and big ambitions for its children and young people. This is an opportunity to lead with purpose in a place where partnership, inclusion and children’s voices truly matter.

If you share our commitment to helping every child in Sheffield, feel valued, included and able to thrive, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Steve Kay, Director of Belonging

at steve.kay@sheffield.gov.uk .

Selection Process

Initial assessment activities (via Teams): w/c 7 September 2026

Final Panel Interviews (in-person): 17 September 2026

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.