Wakefield Council – CYP – Welcome

Dear Candidate,

I am very pleased that you are considering a career with Wakefield Council. 

We’re currently recruiting for a Service Director responsible for Strategy and Innovation. In September we will also start the search for a Service Director for Education and Inclusion. Both roles require demonstrable experience of improving outcomes for children. 

Having emerged from a challenging inspection earlier this year, we know we have improvements to make and are building a team that’s passionate and which has the ability to help us drive change at pace. While we have to make changes in the short-term, our longer term vision is to create something special for the children and young people of our area, as well as the staff who work here. Based on sound multi-agency working and a real partnership desire to get it right together we are developing a true whole family approach building on national best practice.

We know we have significant challenges to overcome within Children’s Services. We are realistic about the scale of the improvements required, and the pace at which change needs to be delivered.

We have a good understanding of the key issues across the service. And we also have new and determined leadership, corporate and political support and, crucially, significant investment.

You’ll need personal resilience, grit and determination. You will need to be determined to make a difference and a track record of delivery as well as the ability to galvanise the many committed staff in the service and the ability to take them with you on this improvement journey.

This is an exciting time to join Wakefield Council and to realise a genuine opportunity to contribute to our significant transformation programme which will have a major impact on improving the experiences of children, young people and families in the area.  Regardless of which role interests you, if you are up for an ambitious but realistic challenge, you will love it in Wakefield and I would welcome your application.

Beate Wagner