Continuous Improvement Partner

Are you passionate about continuous improvement and dedicated to embedding lived experience into service design and delivery?

If so, our Children and Families Directorate is seeking an experienced professional to join our Improvement, Performance and Engagement Team (IPET).

You will play a pivotal role in driving continuous improvement initiatives across the Directorate. Collaborating with and facilitating senior colleagues and stakeholders to prioritise improvement activity and innovation, aligning objectives with the overall strategy.

It is a really exciting time to join the team as the directorate is implementing a new case management system and developing our arrangements for introducing the Families First programme.

This is a fixed term position to cover a secondment until October 2026.

The role is based in Staffordshire Place 1 and hybrid working is available but regular office attendance is required.

You will :

• Work closely with the Intelligence & Analysis Lead to provide assurance on the performance and quality of services through our monthly reporting processes. This will include progress of project activity, ensuring that risks are identified and mitigated.
• Provide programme & change management leadership.
• Provide advice and guidance on creating policies, procedures, and system changes ensuring appropriate consultation and governance is in place.
• Support the directorate to be inspection ready.
• Champion engagement and the involvement of people with lived experience in service review and design.
• Manage a small team.

Due to the length of this contract, it is essential that you have knowledge of children's services.

You will

• be keen to make a positive difference for children and families.
• be able to strike the right balance between coaching and supporting leaders and providing high challenge to continually improve.
• have the following skills and experience:
• have the ability to engage & build relationships with people from a range of backgrounds
• have strong facilitation skills
• have project and programme management experience
• be an advocate for co-production
• be focused on outcomes & impact
• have knowledge of children's services

Interviews will be held on the 4th and 5th March 2026.

Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so consider applying anyway or for an informal chat about the role please contact Jenny Herbert, Head of Improvement Performance and Engagement at: jenny.herbert@staffordshire.gov.uk or Paul Doherty, Continuous Improvement Partner at paul.doherty@staffordshire.gov.uk

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.