Executive Director of Children's Services
Stockport Council
Executive Director of Children's Services Application Deadline: 28 June 2026, 11:59pm This is a defining leadership opportunity in a borough with real momentum Stockport is one of the UK’s leading local authorities recognised nationally, ambitious locally, and clear about where we’re going next. Ambitious Stockport Award-winning. Partnership-led. Purpose-driven. This is a Big Opportunity This is a pivotal role at a defining moment for Stockport. With a clear long-term vision One Stockport, One Future we’re bringing partners, communities and services together to help everyone live happy, healthy lives. The Stockport Family A different way of working rooted in people and place Our model brings services together around: The opportunity ahead Strong foundations. Clear ambition. Space to lead. We know where we are on our journey. Inspection recognised solid foundations and committed sta’ alongside areas to strengthen. That’s your opportunity: To lead the next phase of progress with full organisational backing. An independent peer review described Stockport as “an impressive organisation with strong relationships and a clear sense of purpose.” What You’ll Lead You will lead the next phase of improvement across: You’ll build on strong foundations, restore momentum and drive lasting change for children and families. Who you are A leader with purpose and presence We’re looking for someone who brings: Join us This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a borough with confidence, ambition and a clear sense of nationally acclaimed direction. Contact Nick Raper on 07715 690463 or Kelly Ridley on 07709 512415 at Penna for a confidential discussion. Closing date: 11:59pm, Sunday 28 June 2026 For further information, please click the links below: www.stockport.gov.uk/leadingstockport Follow our recruitment team on X, Instagram and Facebook for updates on our vacancies and recruitment events. Stockport Council is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce culture - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to join our workforce. We want our employees to have a good work life balance and in many job roles we can offer a range of flexible/hybrid working arrangements. We also have inclusive employment policies and staff engagement forums to support our diverse workforce. We will listen to, learn from, and develop our workforce.
£149,000 - £175,000
Full-Time
Permanent
Stockport
Please apply here
Executive Director of Children’s Services - Stockport Council
Location
Piccadilly, , Stockport, SK1 3XE, United Kingdom
Job ID
12219
Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey
We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.
This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.
You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.
Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester
Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach
Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.
To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.
Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.
This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.
What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?
AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.
We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.
When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.
This means:
A trained hiring manager reads every application
Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job
Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role
All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms
AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.
Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.
Using AI in Your Application
When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team.
We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
We’re looking forward to hearing your story.
How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly
Your application is your chance to show us:
Who you are
What you can bring
The values you hold
Why you want to make a difference
AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.
Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process
Do:
Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
Don’t:
Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
Stay Safe When Applying
To protect yourself from recruitment scams, please only apply for roles through the official greater.jobs website and associated recruitment systems. We will never ask for your personal information outside of this process.
Employee Benefits
Annual Leave
A generous annual leave allowance, up to 30 days annual leave dependent on grade and length of service, plus bank holidays with the option to purchase additional annual leave
Work Life Balance
Work and personal life balance. Many jobs include part time working, flexi-time and homeworking
Employee engagement
Employee engagement networks to support colleagues and create opportunities to feed into both workforce and borough strategies
Volunteering
Support for volunteering by allowing up to 4 hours per month (pro rata) to carry out any duties associated with this
Learning and Development
A suite of learning and development opportunities, from important data protection training to all level apprenticeships
Discounts
A huge range of discounts via an easy to use portal, including: Gym memberships, restaurants, events, travel, cycle to work scheme, home electronics and more.
Wellbeing
Access to an employee support hotline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
Pension Scheme
Option to join the Local Government Pension Scheme and give your pension a boost by enrolling into a salary sacrifice scheme.
Our Recruitment Journey
Seen a job you’re interested in but want to understand more about our recruitment process?
Application stage
When you have seen a job, you are interested in you can submit your application online by clicking ‘Apply Now’, some vacancies will ask you to complete a supporting statement where you should address the About You section of the Job Profile for the role. Other vacancies will ask you to upload a CV.
Shortlisting
In keeping with our commitment to inclusion, recruiting managers take an anonymised approach to recruiting when shortlisting your application form. They will use the supporting information section of your application and your work history to assess your suitability for the job. You'll be notified of the outcome of your application form via email and if successful you'll be invited to book an interview slot.
Interviews
When preparing for the interview, you should familiarise yourself with the job profile. The About You section of the job profile contains the criteria that will be assessed at interview stage. You can prepare for interview by ensuring that you have clear examples relating to how you have met these criteria. If you require any reasonable adjustments because of a disability under the Equality Act, to assist you during the selection process we would be pleased to discuss them with you on recruitment@stockport.gov.uk
Offer stage and pre-employment checks
Offer stage and pre-employment checks If you're offered the job after interviewing, you'll be sent a conditional offer detailing your new role. Along with the conditional contract and offer letter, our team will be in touch regarding your pre-employment checks.
The pre-employment checks that you will need to undertake will depend on the role that you've applied for. These checks may include:
right to work in the UK
Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
The information provided will be dealt with in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice
gaps in employment
reference checks. We will request references prior to issuing your conditional contract
pre-employment health declaration
qualification checks
