Corporate Director of Children's Services
Trafford Council
Trafford is an ambitious borough with high aspirations for its children and young people.
We are seeking an exceptional leader to become our next Corporate Director of Children’s Services and help shape the next phase of our improvement journey.
Following our recent Ofsted inspection, we have been honest about the challenges we face and are committed to delivering the improvements that children, young people and families deserve.
This is a leadership role with purpose, impact and visibility, offering the opportunity to shape the future of services and make a lasting difference to lives across Trafford.
You will be joining a council that is fully committed to improvement and where delivering the best start in life for children and young people is a corporate priority.
Strong political and corporate support, alongside established partnerships across education, health, policing and the voluntary sector, provide a solid platform for the journey ahead. Importantly, this is not about starting from scratch.
Alongside the areas identified for improvement, there are real strengths to build on, dedicated staff, talented leaders and a workforce committed to improving outcomes.
There is a shared determination across the organisation and our partners to create services that are safe, effective and centred on the needs of children and families.
We are looking for a credible and inspiring leader with a strong track record of driving improvement, building effective partnerships and delivering better outcomes.
You will provide visible leadership, inspire confidence, empower colleagues and ensure children and young people remain at the heart of every decision, positioning Trafford at the forefront of national children’s services reforms.
The journey ahead will be demanding, but with strong political, corporate and partnership support, we are confident in our ability to deliver lasting improvement.
Our EPIC values of Empowerment, People centred decision-making, Inclusion and Collaboration underpin everything we do and will be central to your leadership approach.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape Trafford's future, influence lives and leave a legacy for children, young people and families. If you share our ambition, we would love to hear from you.
For more information or to apply, please visit our microsite: https://join-trafford.co.uk/ or speak to our advising consultants at Gatenby Sanderson, Philip Emms (07690 225472) or Emily Lockwood (07384 25862)
About us...
Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.
Why Trafford?
We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our “residents, businesses and communities thrive.”
Our Culture...
Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day.
They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career.
What you'll love about working with us...
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance:
- Generous Leave: Start with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), with options to carry over or buy extra days.
- Flexible Perks: Discounts on car leasing, cycle to work, home tech, plus family friendly policies and hybrid working
- Invest in your future: Join our generous Local Government Pension Scheme for peace of mind.
- Grow with us: We'll support your development at every stage! Through leadership programmes like our EPIC Manager, LEAP into leadership and senior leadership. Plus, you'll have access to specialist qualifications and personal coaching to unlock your full potential.
- Wellbeing First: Guided wellbeing walks and “Tea and Talk” sessions, and events like World Mental Health and National Fitness Day.
- Connect with us: Connect with colleagues through our staff forums or join our Let’s Talk events to network, share ideas, and hear about the exciting work happening across our council.
- Be Celebrated: For all your hard work, ideas and contributions through at our annual Time to Shine event, our cheers for peers’ scheme or through our EPIC Star Awards.
Key Information...
- Pre-Employment Checks: If offered a role, as a minimum we’ll need to verify your right to work in the UK, receive two satisfactory references, and medical check. Trafford Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.
- Please note: We are not a licensed sponsor and will not be able to support with your work visa.
- Privacy Notice: We respect your privacy. For details on how we collect, process, and protect your data, please click here: Recruitment and employment privacy notice | Trafford Council privacy notice | Trafford Council