Leadership
We are currently recruiting to the following roles:
- Service Director for Social Care and Family Help - £106,686 to £118,009 pa
- Service Director for Inclusion, Education and Learning - £106,686 to £118,009 pa
- Assistant Director for Inclusion - £85,489 to £102,448 pa
- Assistant Director for Transformation and Improvement - £85,489 to £102,448 pa
- Head of SEND Services - £70,086 to £79,174 pa
Message from Sarah-Jane Smedmor
Thank you for your interest in joining our team at Suffolk County Council. We are excited about the opportunity to welcome passionate and dedicated professionals as we build an exceptional leadership team to deliver the very best outcomes for children and young people.
At Suffolk County Council, we are driven to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. Our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence has established us as a forward-thinking and effective council. We believe in empowering everyone to reach their full potential and are dedicated to creating meaningful connections within our community.
Our Children and Young People Services are at the heart of our mission to support and nurture the next generation. We are looking for inspirational leaders who share our vision and are ready to contribute to the continued success and transformation of our services. Your role will be pivotal in leading our services to overcome national and local challenges, so that we seize the opportunities and make Suffolk a good place for children to grow, to thrive in school, to be safe and to be prepared for their adult lives.
Suffolk is a vibrant place to live and work, offering a unique blend of city and countryside experiences. We reimagine the possibilities through fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. We are proud of our achievements and are excited about the future as we continue to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our community.
If you are passionate about making a difference and are ready to take on a leadership role with us, we encourage you to get in touch with our retained recruitment partners at Tile Hill. We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how you can contribute to our mission.
Best wishes,
Sarah-Jane Smedmor
Executive Director of Children and Young People (CYP) Services, Suffolk County Council
Introduction
At Suffolk County Council, we're reimagining what local government can achieve. We're a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference in our communities.
This is a time of exciting and positive change in Suffolk. We’ve made great strides in our children and young people services improvement journey, supported by our excellent corporate leadership team, chief executive, and elected members. However, we know we still have a long way to go and face a number of challenges across a complex landscape.
Our new DCS is building an exceptional team to deliver the very best outcomes for our children and young people.
Read more about these opportunities in the Municipal Journal (MJ) article:
- Municipal Journal (MJ) ArticlePDF2.93MB
Role information, how to apply and selection dates
Role description
- Based at Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX with a requirement for frequent travel across the county
- £106,686 - £118,009 per annum
- Full Time, Permanent
As our Service Director for Social Care and Family Support, you’ll have strategic responsibility for the leadership and management of Suffolk County Council’s Social Care and Family Support functions. You will play a senior leadership role in the CYP Leadership Team to ensure that children’s needs are met across the whole spectrum of intervention and prevention.
We’re seeking an ambitious leader to inject strategic pace to our improvement plan and take staff with them. Someone who can foster excellent relationships across the council and with our partners across education, health, care, and service user organisations, locally and regionally to create an integrated system that is rewarding and empowering to work in. With excellent financial acumen, you’ll be a subject matter expert with a proven track record of improvement in social care services to ensure every child in Suffolk can exceed their potential.
In return, you’ll be joining an ambitious council and a service which has embarked on an exciting transformation journey. You’ll work with incredible practitioners as well as an empowering and nurturing DCS who will support your development as a senior leader. You’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of our children and young people to ensure no child is left behind.
Come and be part of something unique and reimagine the possibilities.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
How to apply
Your application should be submitted via Suffolk Jobs Direct - Service Director for Social Care and Family Help
- Step 1 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
- Step 2 - Upload a supporting statement (four sides of A4 maximum) that addresses the criteria set out in the job and person profile and uses examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements. It should also cover your motivation for the role and the organisation. You should use the Supporting Statement template.
- Step 3 - Upload an up-to-date copy of your CV (four sides of A4 maximum)
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Contact details:
For more information about this opportunity, or a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact Jocelyn Barber on jocelyn.barber@suffolk.gov.uk or 01473 265750.
Selection dates
- Applications close: 11:30pm on Sunday 12 January 2025
- Assessment centre: Week commencing 20 January 2025
Role description
- Based at Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX with a requirement for frequent travel across the county
- £106,686 - £118,009 per annum
- Full Time, Permanent
As our Service Director for Inclusion, Education and Learning, you’ll have strategic responsibility for educational outcomes, school improvement, school place planning, and inclusion. Under your leadership we aim to deliver a high performing 0-25 SEND service and inclusive education policy for all disabled children and young people.
We’re seeking an ambitious leader to inject strategic pace to our improvement plan and take staff with them. Someone who can foster excellent relationships across the council and with our partners across education, health, care, and service user organisations, locally and regionally to create an integrated system that is rewarding and empowering to work in. With excellent financial acumen, you’ll be a subject matter expert with a proven track record of improvement in education services to ensure every child in Suffolk can exceed their potential.
In return, you’ll be joining an ambitious council and a service which has embarked on an exciting transformation journey. You’ll work with incredible practitioners as well as an empowering and nurturing DCS who will support your development as a senior leader. You’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of our children and young people to ensure no child is left behind.
Come and be part of something unique and reimagine the possibilities.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
How to apply
Your application should be submitted via Tile Hill - Service Director for Inclusion, Education and Learning
Please submit:
- An up-to-date copy of your CV (four sides of A4 maximum)
- A supporting statement (four sides of A4 maximum) that addresses the criteria set out in the job description and uses examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements. It should also cover your motivation for the role and the organisation.
Applications must include:
- Full contact details;
- Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
- Details of your current salary and notice period;
- Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview.
Contact details:
For more information about these opportunities, or a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our retained recruitment consultants at Tile Hill:
- Chris Barrow: chris.barrow@tile-hill.co.uk or 07437 839048
- Zarvesha Rasool: zarvesha.rasool@tile-hill.co.uk or 07551 392696
- Anita Denton: anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk or 07725 554802
Selection dates
- Applications close: Midnight on Sunday 19 January 2025
- Preliminary technical interviews (virtual): Week commencing 27 January 2025
- Assessment centre: Week commencing 10 February 2025
Role description
- Based at Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX with a requirement for frequent travel across the county
- £85,489 - £102,448 per annum
- Full Time, Permanent
As our Assistant Director for Inclusion, you’ll have strategic responsibility for developing and delivering the Suffolk SEND Strategy and Transformation Programme. In addition, you’ll lead on specialist education services and alternative provision, high needs funding, commissioning, quality assurance, and exclusions, as well overseeing the implementation of the current SEND capital programme and recovery plan.
We’re seeking an ambitious leader to inject strategic pace to our improvement plan and take staff with them. Someone who champions co-production and can build excellent relationships across the council and with our partners across education, health, care, and service user organisations, locally and regionally. This will include being the key point of contact within the Suffolk SEND system, including with the DfE and Ofsted. With excellent financial acumen, you’ll be a subject matter expert with a proven track record of improving inclusion services to ensure every child in Suffolk can exceed their potential.
In return, you’ll be joining an ambitious council and a service which has embarked on an exciting transformation journey. You’ll work with incredible practitioners as well as an empowering and nurturing leadership team who will support your development as a senior leader. You’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of our children and young people to ensure no child is left behind.
Come and be part of something unique and reimagine the possibilities.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile and addendum. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
How to apply
Your application should be submitted via Tile Hill - Assistant Director for Inclusion
Please submit:
- An up-to-date copy of your CV (four sides of A4 maximum)
- A supporting statement (four sides of A4 maximum) that addresses the criteria set out in the job description and uses examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements. It should also cover your motivation for the role and the organisation.
Applications must include:
- Full contact details;
- Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
- Details of your current salary and notice period;
- Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview.
Contact details:
For more information about these opportunities, or a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our retained recruitment consultants at Tile Hill:
- Chris Barrow: chris.barrow@tile-hill.co.uk or 07437 839048
- Zarvesha Rasool: zarvesha.rasool@tile-hill.co.uk or 07551 392696
- Anita Denton: anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk or 07725 554802
Selection dates
- Closing date: Sunday 02 February 2025
- Preliminary technical interviews (virtual): Week commencing 10 February 2025
- Assessment centre: Week commencing 24 February 2025
Role description
- Based at Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX with a requirement for frequent travel across the county
- £85,489 - £102,448 per annum
- Full Time, Permanent
Reporting directly to the DCS, this role spans the entire Children and Young People (CYP) directorate. You’ll have strategic responsibility for delivering the Transformation and Improvement Strategy and further embedding a culture of continuous improvement in specialist services. In addition, you’ll oversee the inspection lead post to ensure inspection readiness, the implementation of capital programmes, and the development and delivery of the high needs block recovery plan. You’ll also collaborate with corporate and adult services to align transformation, promote innovation and drive efficiencies in service delivery.
We’re seeking an ambitious leader to inject strategic pace to our improvement plan and take staff with them. Someone who can foster excellent relationships across the council and with our partners across education, health, care, and service user organisations, to create an integrated system that is rewarding to work within. With excellent financial acumen, you’ll have a proven track record of transformation and improvement in children’s social care and education services to ensure every child in Suffolk can exceed their potential.
In return, you’ll be joining an ambitious council and a service which has embarked on an exciting transformation journey. You’ll work with incredible practitioners as well as an empowering and nurturing Director who will support your development as a senior leader. You’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of our children and young people to ensure no child is left behind.
Come and be part of something unique and reimagine the possibilities.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile and addendum. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
How to apply
Your application should be submitted via Tile Hill - Assistant Director for Transformation and Improvement
Please submit:
- An up-to-date copy of your CV (four sides of A4 maximum)
- A supporting statement (four sides of A4 maximum) that addresses the criteria set out in the job description and uses examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements. It should also cover your motivation for the role and the organisation.
Applications must include:
- Full contact details;
- Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
- Details of your current salary and notice period;
- Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview.
Contact details:
For more information about these opportunities, or a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our retained recruitment consultants at Tile Hill:
- Chris Barrow: chris.barrow@tile-hill.co.uk or 07437 839048
- Zarvesha Rasool: zarvesha.rasool@tile-hill.co.uk or 07551 392696
- Anita Denton: anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk or 07725 554802
Selection dates
- Closing date: Sunday 19 January 2025
- Preliminary technical interviews (virtual): Week commencing 27 January 2025
- Assessment centre: Week commencing 10 February 2025
Role description
- Based at Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX with a requirement for frequent travel across the county
- £70,086 to £79,174 per annum
- Full Time, Permanent
As our Head of SEND Services, you’ll have a wide range of responsibilities, including EHCP assessments, specialist settings admissions and our innovative SEND Assessment Centre programme. You’ll work closely with parents and carers and children and young people in the development of services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of the Council’s SEND Strategy.
We’re seeking an ambitious leader to inject pace to our SEND improvement plan. A leader who can take staff with them and foster excellent relationships across the council and with schools and parent carer forums. With a proven track record of SEND improvement, you’ll be a subject matter expert with strong financial acumen. Experience of the Delivering Better Value (DBV) programme or Safety Valve would also be beneficial to thrive in this role.
In return, you’ll be joining an ambitious council and a service which has embarked on an exciting transformation journey. You’ll work with incredible practitioners as well as an empowering and nurturing leadership team who will support your development as a senior leader. You’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of our children and young people to ensure no child is left behind.
Come and be part of something unique and reimagine the possibilities.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
How to apply
Your application should be submitted via Tile Hill - Head of SEND Services
Please submit:
- An up-to-date copy of your CV (four sides of A4 maximum)
- A supporting statement (four sides of A4 maximum) that addresses the criteria set out in the job description and uses examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements. It should also cover your motivation for the role and the organisation.
Applications must include:
- Full contact details;
- Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
- Details of your current salary and notice period;
- Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview.
Contact details:
For more information about these opportunities, or a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our retained recruitment consultants at Tile Hill:
- Chris Barrow: chris.barrow@tile-hill.co.uk or 07437 839048
- Zarvesha Rasool: zarvesha.rasool@tile-hill.co.uk or 07551 392696
- Anita Denton: anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk or 07725 554802
Selection dates
- Closing date: Sunday 02 February 2025
- Assessment centre - Week commencing 03 March 2025
Further information
Future-focused, innovative and ambitious, at Suffolk County Council we’re solution-finders driven to deliver the best outcomes for people in Suffolk. We understand the importance of collaboration, trust and respect. By listening to and learning from each other, our partners and communities, we develop a culture of mutual respect that enables us to work together and achieve great things.
Our values
Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They underpin our approach to performance, reward, and wellbeing. They define the relationship between the council and our people.
The WE ASPIRE values set behavioural standards which reflect the quality work that we do every day. It clarifies the behaviours the council expects from everyone, regardless of who they are, what their role or grade is or where they work. This also extends to our employees who volunteer within the Council, chosen charity and or wider community.
The WE ASPIRE values were refreshed and reviewed based on the feedback and input from the employees at Suffolk County Council – it has not been shaped by a management committee. They define us and help make us outstanding at what we do.
Our Customer Commitment sits alongside and reinforces these standards further by setting out our strong commitment to serving our customers.
Our WE ASPIRE values are:
- Wellbeing: We look after ourselves, each other and the planet
- Equality: Respecting, valuing, embracing, and celebrating everyone’s unique differences
- Achieve: We are the best we can be
- Support: We work as one team
- Pride: We are passionate about making a positive different to the people and place of Suffolk
- Innovate: We believe in making every penny count, every minute matter and reducing environmental impact
- Respect: We give and earn respect
- Empower: We empower, encourage, and motivate
Our Ambitions for Suffolk
Our Ambitions for Suffolk are based on the council's objectives as laid out in our Corporate Strategy for 2022-26. Over the next four years, we will focus on ensuring Suffolk recovers socially and economically from the Covid-19 pandemic. Our ambitions will be our guide as we build back better, build back stronger, and build back greener.
- Looking after our health and wellbeing
- Strengthening our local economy
- Protecting and enhancing our environment
- Providing value for money for our residents
Our ambitions will provide a crucial foundation for our work until 2026. They are the basis for major programmes including People First, the Housing Joint Venture, Suffolk's Climate Emergency Action Plan, and our Highways New Operating Model. These are ambitious projects that seek to support our communities, keep us all connected, enhance Suffolk's biodiversity, and help us all live healthy, safe, and independent lives.
To achieve our ambitions, we will continue to work closely with partners as we take an increasingly integrated and holistic approach to our council services, and to lead on new community initiatives and strategic projects in Suffolk.
More information
The following links will provide you with further information about our financial position, our structure and our corporate strategy and future plans.
Our Children and Young People (CYP) directorate brings together the county council’s services for education and learning, early years and childcare, services for vulnerable children and young people including early intervention and prevention, and integrated youth support services.
The directorate also includes universal children’s health services - health visitors, school nurses and learning disability nurses. To find out more, please visit our Children and Young People Services pages.
More information
The following links will provide you with relevant further information:
- CYP in Numbers
- CYP Structure Chart
- CYP Business Plan 2024 to 2025
- Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) report June 2024 (files.ofsted.gov.uk)
Social Care Services
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the Local Offer
Suffolk is increasingly attracting talented people choosing a county that can offer lively and thriving urban and market towns and coastal villages with a large economy. Suffolk is a great place to live, it has low-cost housing across the county, good schools, plenty of opportunities for cultural and outdoor activities and strong, safe communities.
Suffolk has beautiful villages, a stunning coastline, charming country houses and remarkable landscapes. Read on to find out more about this picturesque county…
- Lowestoft is the first place in the country to greet the sun, being the most easterly point in the UK.
- A strong food, drink, agriculture, tourism and cultural sectors
- Suffolk boasts 12 National Trust sites, 8 English Heritage sites and over 60 nature reserves (including RSPB Minsmere) for you to explore and enjoy.
- We have a strong connection to the rest of the country through the UK’s premier trade route, the A14.
- Suffolk is one of the UK’s greenest and safest counties. We boast competitively priced housing, quality local produce, food and drink festivals, plus many fine restaurants and historic country parks.
- We regularly host some of the best music in the UK. The yearly Latitude festival showcases the biggest names and is attended from far and wide.
- Suffolk is the home of British telecommunications & BT’s headquarters – the birthplace of fibre, a global technology research park and an international telecommunications centre.
- Felixstowe, the UK’s gateway to the rest of the world, is boosting its existing potential as the UK’s largest container port as part of Freeport East.
- We have over 400 educational facilities in Suffolk – over half are currently rated as either ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
- We have an estimated number of 137,053 living in Ipswich and 752,691 overall in Suffolk.
- Suffolk has a 50-mile stretch of heritage coastline and many Outstanding National Beauty areas (AONB).
- As well as the cost, there is an untouched rural landscape across the county, excellent for walkers and cyclists. Did you know? Suffolk’s landscapes were the focus for many of artist John Constable’s most famous works
Moving to Suffolk
The following websites offer information about Suffolk, relocation guidance, attractions and housing opportunities for those interested in moving to the county.
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments, please view the About and Benefits sections at the top of the website.