Trafford is an ambitious borough with high aspirations for its children and young people.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to become our next Corporate Director of Children’s Services and help shape the next phase of our improvement journey.

Following our recent Ofsted inspection, we have been honest about the challenges we face and are committed to delivering the improvements that children, young people and families deserve.

This is a leadership role with purpose, impact and visibility, offering the opportunity to shape the future of services and make a lasting difference to lives across Trafford.

You will be joining a council that is fully committed to improvement and where delivering the best start in life for children and young people is a corporate priority.

Strong political and corporate support, alongside established partnerships across education, health, policing and the voluntary sector, provide a solid platform for the journey ahead. Importantly, this is not about starting from scratch.

Alongside the areas identified for improvement, there are real strengths to build on, dedicated staff, talented leaders and a workforce committed to improving outcomes.

There is a shared determination across the organisation and our partners to create services that are safe, effective and centred on the needs of children and families.

We are looking for a credible and inspiring leader with a strong track record of driving improvement, building effective partnerships and delivering better outcomes.

You will provide visible leadership, inspire confidence, empower colleagues and ensure children and young people remain at the heart of every decision, positioning Trafford at the forefront of national children’s services reforms.

The journey ahead will be demanding, but with strong political, corporate and partnership support, we are confident in our ability to deliver lasting improvement.

Our EPIC values of Empowerment, People centred decision-making, Inclusion and Collaboration underpin everything we do and will be central to your leadership approach.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape Trafford's future, influence lives and leave a legacy for children, young people and families. If you share our ambition, we would love to hear from you.

For more information or to apply, please visit our microsite: https://join-trafford.co.uk/ or speak to our advising consultants at Gatenby Sanderson, Philip Emms (07690 225472) or Emily Lockwood (07384 25862)

About us...

Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.

Why Trafford?

We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our “residents, businesses and communities thrive.”

Our Culture...

Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day.

They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career.

What you'll love about working with us...

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance:

  • Generous Leave: Start with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), with options to carry over or buy extra days.
  • Flexible Perks: Discounts on car leasing, cycle to work, home tech, plus family friendly policies and hybrid working
  • Invest in your future: Join our generous Local Government Pension Scheme for peace of mind.
  • Grow with us: We'll support your development at every stage! Through leadership programmes like our EPIC Manager, LEAP into leadership and senior leadership. Plus, you'll have access to specialist qualifications and personal coaching to unlock your full potential.
  • Wellbeing First: Guided wellbeing walks and “Tea and Talk” sessions, and events like World Mental Health and National Fitness Day.
  • Connect with us: Connect with colleagues through our staff forums or join our Let’s Talk events to network, share ideas, and hear about the exciting work happening across our council.
  • Be Celebrated: For all your hard work, ideas and contributions through at our annual Time to Shine event, our cheers for peers’ scheme or through our EPIC Star Awards.

Key Information...

  • Pre-Employment Checks: If offered a role, as a minimum we’ll need to verify your right to work in the UK, receive two satisfactory references, and medical check. Trafford Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.
  • Please note: We are not a licensed sponsor and will not be able to support with your work visa.
  • Privacy Notice: We respect your privacy. For details on how we collect, process, and protect your data, please click here: Recruitment and employment privacy notice | Trafford Council privacy notice | Trafford Council

Make an Impact. Apply Today.

Supporting Documents

↗ Corporate Director of Children's Services

Location

Talbot Road, , Trafford, M32 0TH, United Kingdom

Job ID

2346

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This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

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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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

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