Full-time, permanent.

You will be responsible for every aspect of Looked After Children. You will have the opportunity to shape the Directorate's strategies and policies, and influence all contributing plans, programmes and meetings.

Commissioning activities and the management of significant budgets will account for a large part of your work. The voice of the child must be at the heart of everything we do and be a deciding factor in the services you provide. These will vary from child to child, but include everything from transport to Fostering and Adoption. You will also manage five different Children's Homes and all their staff.

Practice delivery, performance and quality will be another key focus for you. It will entail scrutinising and challenging practice effectively and constructively in order to ensure that business systems and processes result in high quality delivery.

This critical position requires a significantly experienced and qualified social worker with up-to-date registration and with a history of managing at a senior level in similar roles. Strong commissioning and extensive financial management skills are also paramount, alongside a proven ability to challenge and improve professional practice.

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.