Interim Programme Lead – Children’s Social Care Transformation – AR

Interim Programme Lead – Children’s Social Care Transformation

Location: Surrey (hybrid working)
Duration: Fixed term / interim contract until 31 March 2027
Grade/Rate: Competitive (aligned to senior leadership level)
Reports to: Assistant Director, Transformation – Children’s Social Care

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Interim Programme Lead to drive forward a critical transformation programme across Children’s Social Care, Early Help and the wider Directorate.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for leading the design and delivery of complex, system-wide change, ensuring services deliver improved outcomes for children, young people and families.

The postholder will work closely with the Assistant Director (Transformation), retaining strong alignment to strategic priorities while taking ownership of day-to-day programme leadership and delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a high-profile transformation programme, maintaining the service quality standards, improving service quality, impact and value for money across Children’s Services.
• Develop and manage a coherent, prioritised programme of change, ensuring alignment to strategic objectives and financial plans.
• Provide visible leadership across programme and project teams, fostering a culture of accountability, performance and innovation.
• Work closely with Assistant Directors, senior leaders and partners to embed sustainable improvement across early help and statutory services.
• Ensure robust programme governance, including risk management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Drive cross-system collaboration with partners to influence behaviours and unlock early intervention and prevention benefits.
• Maximise value from placements and service delivery through data-led decision making and cost/outcome analysis.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a highly credible leader with:

• Significant experience leading large-scale transformation programmes in Children’s Social Care, local government, or related sectors
• A strong track record of delivering measurable improvement in outcomes, performance and financial sustainability
• Deep expertise in programme management, governance, and system change
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders, Members and partners
• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams in complex environments
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capability, with the ability to translate insight into delivery

About you

You will:

• Be comfortable operating at senior leadership level in a complex political environment
• Balance strategic oversight with hands-on programme delivery
• Be passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people
• Bring energy, pace and credibility to transformation work

Additional information

• Oversight of a transformation programme budget of c. £1.3m and an efficiencies target of £6m to deliver this financial year
• Leadership of a team of Programme, Transformation and Project Managers
• Enhanced DBS required

Briefing

Recruitment process will be a screening interview with Hayley Maspero, AD CSC Transformation then if successful a formal interview with Hayley and Suzanne Smith, Director CFT.

This role leads a large-scale, high-risk transformation portfolio that brings together service redesign, financial sustainability, and system-wide partnership working across Children’s Services. It operates at the interface of local delivery and national reform, with accountability for enabling Surrey’s transition to a sustainable, integrated, and prevention-focused system ahead of Local Government Reorganisation.

The successful candidate should have experience of direct transformation delivery including consultancy skill set, alongside strong financial skills and be used to working in a leadership role in a matrix environment.

It includes line management of 4 current posts – 3 Senior Programme Managers and 1 change manager, and following recruitment line management of the Strategic Partnerships Manager.  The team are based in Victoria Gate in Woking and come into the office every Tuesday, there are monthly team meetings to chair and quarterly awaydays.

Summary of programmes;

1. Corporate Parenting Transformation Programme

Scale: Major capital and sufficiency programme

Key components:

• Development of 11 children’s homes (new build + refurbished)
• Delivery of 6 semi‑supported homes for care leavers
• Fostering system transformation (recruitment, utilisation, operating model)

Impact:

• Increase in in-house placements and reduced external spend
• Long-term sufficiency strategy (38 beds by 2030)
• Financial efficiencies and improved outcomes

1. Family Resilience & Safeguarding Transformation

Scale: Whole-system service redesign

Key programmes:

• Children with Disabilities (CwD) service redesign
• Operating model redesign using journey mapping and co-design
• Families First Partnership National Reform programme

Impact:

• Reduced demand on statutory services
• More equitable and financially sustainable services
• Better outcomes through prevention and early help
• Earlier intervention and reduced escalation into care
• Stronger multi-agency safeguarding
• Improved practice consistency and workforce confidence

1. CFLL Efficiencies Programme

Scale: Directorate-wide financial transformation

Focus:

• Delivery and monitoring of £12m+ savings (MTFS)
• Identification of new efficiency opportunities
• Financial governance and reporting through TIAB

Key workstreams:

• Joint Funding Review
• Digital / AI (e.g. Magic Notes)
• External spend and commissioning analysis

Impact:

• Financial sustainability
• Improved efficiency and reduced administrative burden
• Data-driven decision making

1. Best Start in Life (Family Hubs & Early Years Transformation)

Programme Context

The Best Start in Life / Family Hubs programme is a nationally mandated transformation focused on:

• 0–19 (25 SEND) integrated early help system
• Joining up health, early years, parenting and family support services

Scope within Portfolio

• Integration with Family Resilience / FFP model
• Alignment with health visiting, maternity, early years