Subject Matter Expert Childrens Social Care - LGR

Job Title: Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Children's Social Care - LGR
Starting Salary: £63,471 - £71,045 pa
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage
Contract Type: 12 month fixed term / secondment opportunity
Directorate: Children's Services

We are changing

Hertfordshire’s councils are undertaking one of the most significant transformation programmes in their history through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This is a rare opportunity to help shape the creation of new unitary authorities, redesign public services, and influence how local government will operate for generations. You could be part of shaping children's social care.

About the Team

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader with significant expertise in Children's Social Care to join as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Children's Social Care. You will be the programme's recognised specialist for Children's Social Care services, providing expert leadership, professional insight and specialist knowledge to support the design of future service delivery arrangements.

The Children's & Education LGR workstream is jointly chaired by the Hertfordshire County Council Director of Children's Services and the Chief Executive of East Hertfordshire District Council. There are two sub-workstreams covering Children's Social Care and Education/SEND, supported by a number of project areas focused on specific services and functions. As part of this programme, you will work alongside senior leaders, programme teams and partners to help shape future Children's Social Care arrangements across the system.

This is an opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant transformation programmes affecting local government in Hertfordshire and help ensure future services remain effective, sustainable and focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

About the Role

You will work in a fast-paced, high-energy and dynamic environment, helping to shape the future delivery of Children's & Education services across Hertfordshire.

Local Government Reorganisation presents a unique opportunity to rethink how Children's Social Care services are organised and delivered. We are looking for an experienced leader who can bring specialist expertise, strategic insight and a collaborative approach to support the development of future service models and delivery arrangements.

Working closely with senior leaders, programme colleagues and partner organisations, you will support the programme in understanding current service arrangements, identifying opportunities for improvement and developing recommendations that support high-quality Children's Social Care services within the future local government landscape.

You will:

• Lead the development of future operating models for Children's Social Care services within the new unitary authority arrangements.
• Provide expert advice regarding statutory Children's Social Care duties and responsibilities.
• Work with programme colleagues to map current services, identify opportunities for alignment and support service redesign.
• Support the assessment of risks, opportunities and implications associated with reorganisation proposals.
• Ensure the voice and needs of children, young people and families are reflected in programme outputs.
• Contribute to workforce, financial and service transition planning.
• Work closely with senior leaders across Hertfordshire Children's Services, programme teams and partner organisations.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations and options for future service delivery arrangements.
• Support reporting, governance requirements and decision-making within the programme.

About You

You'll be a collaborative and credible leader who can quickly build effective relationships across organisational boundaries. You'll be comfortable navigating complex service environments, understanding different perspectives and influencing positive outcomes. You'll combine strategic thinking with a practical approach to change, helping the programme develop future Children's Social Care arrangements that support high-quality services and improved outcomes for children and families.

You'll bring significant experience of Children's Social Care leadership and will use that expertise to help shape future service models, operating arrangements and approaches to service delivery within the new local government landscape.

Essential

• Significant leadership experience within Children's Social Care.
• In-depth knowledge of statutory Children's Social Care services, legislation and practice frameworks.
• Experience of leading service improvement, transformation or organisational change programmes.
• Experience of supporting service redesign, operating model development or improvement activity.
• Ability to work strategically across organisational boundaries.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Ability to think strategically, analyse complex issues and develop practical recommendations.
• Experience of leading, supporting or embedding organisational change, transformation and service improvement activity.
• Understanding of the Local Government Reorganisation Programme and its objectives, or the ability to quickly develop this understanding.

Desirable

• Project management experience.
• Experience of large-scale transformation programmes.
• Knowledge of local government governance and operating models.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 14. Please locate the job profile here: Job profiles - Health and social care

To hear more about this opportunity please contact andy.lawrence@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: Monday 21st September

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a covering letter within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Secondment
This role is open to secondments for eligible employees who work for HCC. If you wish to apply on a secondment basis, you must have your line manager’s approval before submitting your application. You will be asked to confirm this within your application form. If you are not eligible for a secondment (e.g., you are currently on a fixed‑term contract that would end before this positions ends) or you indicate that your manager cannot support a secondment, your application will be considered on a fixed‑term contract basis instead.

Additional information

We are changing
Hertfordshire County Councilis undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.