We are making substantial changes and improvements to Children Services, in line with best practice recommendations from Munro and Allen, to deliver better outcomes and to create the foundations for excellence.

We have established 16 multi-professional, integrated teams aligned to our social care teams based on 4 areas across the city to deliver co-ordinated family support. We have improved social care – the unannounced inspection in November identified no priority areas for action, but there is much more to do.

A new leadership team has been recruited with a new Strategic Director – Peter Duxbury. The new team recognise the scale of the challenge and are determined to succeed. An opportunity exists for one more senior leader to join us and lead an area based structure and a team of 6 assistant directors.

We are seeking to recruit a Service Director with drive and ambition who will be responsible for social care and prevention but who will also play a full part in the development of all aspects of Children's Services.

Children and Young people in Birmingham deserve the best. This is an opportunity for you to be your best. There is a committed, energetic and enthusiastic team waiting for you to join them and help create the excellent Children Services this great city deserves.

The application process for this appointment will be handled by GatenbySanderson and full details can be found at our website here. For an informal discussion, please call Jon Houlihan on 0121 644 5710 or 07736 821 079.

Closing date: 14th March 2012. Officer interviews will be held week commencing 19th March 2012.

Elected Members interviews will be held on 17th April 2012.