Croydon is changing. We are a borough with great assets: a proud and diverse community, strong partnerships, a dynamic economy, a dedicated and committed workforce, the largest child population in London and the scale to shape London’s future.We will also not shy away from our challenges.Following an unprecedented financial crisis, Croydon has been on a determined journey of recovery: stabilising our finances; strengthening governance; and rebuilding trust with residents.
A key part of improvements we have delivered includes being proud to have back-to-back good Ofsted inspection outcomes. Your role will be to provide clear-sighted leadership to ensure we continue to improve the quality of children’s services.
You will inherit good foundations: improving Ofsted inspection outcomes, a stabilised financial position, and a brave and innovative transformation programme which is already actively underway.
We will look to you to lead a whole-system transformation of how children’s social care works - reshaping services, driving cultural change, and building children’s services that consistently strengthen outcomes for children
This role demands visible, resilient and values-driven leadership. You will:
We are looking for an exceptional senior leader who has led large, complex organisation change and improvement in children’s social care. You will bring deep insight into improving children’s services with the ability to inspire confidence at every level.
Most of all, you will share our belief that Croydon’s future will be one of outstanding services for children.
To view the Director of Children's Social Care job profile, please click here
To view the Letter to Applicants please click here
To view the CYPE plan 2026 please click here
Croydon Council’s priorities
The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services
Key business plan outcomes:
Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
We provide a large number of services for local people, businesses and visitors to the borough, including services for children and adults, and environmental, cultural, sports, housing, planning and benefits services.
The borough is split into 24 electoral wards, and local elections are held every four years.
With a workforce of approximately 3,300 staff, including teachers in schools, Croydon Council is the largest employer in the borough. Spending over £900 million per year, the council makes a significant contribution to the local economy.
The council comprises three main political functions, the Executive (Leader and Cabinet), Committees, and Scrutiny.
The Leader and Cabinet are responsible and accountable for shaping policies and plans and recommending them to the council for approval. Cabinet also gives direction to departmental directors on the way services are managed and the budgets allocated to them.
Six non-executive committees take decisions relating to planning, licensing, standards of behaviour and conduct for members and officers, staffing issues, tenders, property transactions, liaison with local utility companies and internal audit.
Scrutiny holds the council executive functions to account. Examining aspects of council performance, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee also increasingly involves other local agencies which contribute to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the local population.
