Full-time, permanent.

As a member of the Children, Schools and Families Directorate Senior Leadership Team, you will provide a professional lead on all services and ensure that young people and families are at the centre of and influence the nature of everything we do.

Your remit will be far-reaching and your responsibilities will cover the assessment, safeguarding care management and service provision for children in need, child protection, looked after children and the maintenance of standards and quality. You will also play a lead role in supporting the Executive Director, commissioning activities, partnership management and social enterprise stimulation.

We are looking for a qualified social worker with up-to-date registration from a senior management background within Children's Services that involved a high degree of budget control. This is a changing and innovative environment requiring flexibility in both approach and availability. Experience of delivering Youth Offending and Harmful and Risky Behaviour services as well as early intervention strategies will be important. Strong decision-making skills and the vision to shape the future of the Directorate are also vital.

Bedford Borough Council takes great care to recruit the very best people so that the services we provide to our community are first class. We believe that the best work gets done in an environment that's enjoyable and which values, supports and encourages the development of its employees. In return we expect our employees to work hard and be committed to help us achieve our vision and share our values.

For full job details visit our website or contact the Recruitment Team on (01234) 228082 or email here.

Closing date: 31st January 2013.

Posts working with children and/or vulnerable adults will be subject to the disclosure of criminal records.

The Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.