Families First Programme Implementation Manager

Overview

Are you passionate about transforming services for children and families? Do you have the strategic vision and leadership to drive system-wide reform? Buckinghamshire Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Families First Programme Implementation Manager to lead the delivery of a ground-breaking transformation programme across Children’s Services.

This is an exciting and pivotal opportunity to shape the future of early help, family support, and child protection services in Buckinghamshire, working in partnership with key stakeholders including Health, Police, Education, and the voluntary sector. With a budget oversight of approximately £800k and a hybrid working model based at Walton Street, this role offers both challenge and reward in equal measure.

Annual salary up to £79,856

This is a fixed term / secondment role until September 2026

Take a look at our Childrens Social Care Candidate Pack to find out more.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected– only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.

We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

About the role

As the Implementation Manager, reporting into the Service Director for Transformation, you will lead the design, coordination, and execution of the Families First for Children Partnership (FFCP) programme in Buckinghamshire. Backed by over £500 million in national funding, this initiative aims to deliver integrated, multi-agency support systems that protect and empower children and families.

You will:

• Drive the implementation of reforms aligned with the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
• Lead a multi-agency delivery plan, ensuring alignment with national statutory guidance by 2028.
• Engage with senior leaders, community stakeholders, and government departments to report on progress and outcomes.
• Oversee programme governance, risk management, and performance monitoring.
• Inspire and manage a team of 5 direct and matrix-managed staff from across sectors.

This role is central to delivering lasting change and improving outcomes for children, young people, and families across the county.

About you

We’re looking for a strategic leader with:

• Ideally, significant practice experience and strategic leadership/management in children’s social care, education, or family support.
• A strong track record of leading a programme of organisational change, project management and policy development.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across agencies.
• A deep understanding of local government systems, policy and guidance which oversees safeguarding and early help frameworks.
• A degree-level qualification (essential); project management or professional registration (desirable).
• A full driving licence and the ability to communicate effectively with the public.

Other information

For more information about this role, please contact Errol Albert at [email protected]

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 1st September

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/