Families First Programme Manager

Overview

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity at the heart of Buckinghamshire’s Families First Partnership Programme. As Families First Programme Manager, you will play a central role in turning national reform into meaningful local change that improves outcomes for children and families. Working across a complex and influential partnership landscape, you will help shape how services come together to provide support earlier, more effectively and in a more joined‑up way.

This is a high‑profile role suited to someone who thrives on driving change, creating momentum and delivering impact at pace.

This is a fixed term/secondment position until March 2028.

Take a look at our Children's Social Care Candidate Pack to learn more about working in Children's Services at Buckinghamshire Council.

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. 

About the role

You will lead the delivery of the Families First Programme across Buckinghamshire, coordinating work across children’s social care, early help, health, education, police and the voluntary and community sector. Your focus will be on moving from planning to practical implementation – ensuring reforms land in day‑to‑day practice and make a real difference for children and families.

Key elements of the role include:

• Driving delivery and maintaining momentum across a complex partnership system
• Coordinating and sequencing reform activity to ensure clarity, readiness and alignment
• Leading the development and embedding of Family Help locally
• Supporting the planning and mobilisation of Multi‑Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT)
• Working closely with operational leaders to embed change into frontline practice
• Providing clear assurance, reporting and insight to senior leaders and Members
• Overseeing around £3m of programme funding, ensuring grant compliance and robust reporting

While the role does not have direct line management responsibility, it carries significant influence and requires confident, visible leadership.

About you

You will be an experienced programme or service leader with strong credibility across partnerships and a deep understanding of children’s safeguarding and family support systems. You are comfortable operating in complex environments, influencing at senior levels and navigating sensitive issues with sound judgement.

You will bring:

• Substantial experience of leading complex programmes or services within local government or a related sector
• Expert knowledge of safeguarding, early help and partnership‑based delivery
• Proven ability to think strategically while driving practical, on‑the‑ground implementation
• Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills
• Experience of managing significant budgets and grant‑funded programmes
• A collaborative, resilient and solutions‑focused approach

If you are motivated by improving the lives of children and families and want to play a central role in system‑wide reform, we would love to hear from you.

Other information

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Mark Green at [email protected]

Closing date: Midnight on Friday 1^st May

Interview date: 7^th and 8^th May

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

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

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/