From challenge to change: Knowsley leads the way.

Knowsley Children's Services logo

Small in size yet huge in aspiration, Knowsley Council’s effective leadership and robust financial management, combined with a collaborative strategic plan for growth, has seen the Council take control of its own future and flourish.

With a clear and ambitious vision, Knowsley Council’s consistently bold and brave approach means that the Borough is thriving despite challenges and long-term social and health inequalities.

Leadership, staff, communities and partners are all united behind the Council’s clear vision to deliver effective, high-quality services and support, encouraging growth that benefits everyone and delivering targeted support to encourage fairness and opportunity.  This is underpinned by the well-established Knowsley Better Together principles, which unify communities, organisations and businesses, working together to pool ideas, expertise and resources and achieve more than they could alone.

Knowsley Council refuses to be deterred or defined by deprivation or socio-economic challenges.  Its strong leadership has never shied away from taking tough decisions, nor taken its eye off the longer-term vision.  This approach is now reaping rewards with town centres thriving and bucking national trends.

Knowsley is living proof of the impact which a well-managed local authority can have on a place and its people.

The Role

Executive Director (Children’s Services)

Salary/Remuneration: up to £137,831

Are you an experienced and inspirational leader of Children’s Services? If you know how to build services which deliver strong and sustainable outcomes for children and young people, Knowsley could be the right fit for you, and you for us.

Knowsley Council is looking for a children and young people’s champion to join the team and lead the Council’s Children’s Services Department on its continuous improvement journey. 

As Council of the Year 2024, Knowsley has been widely recognised as an exemplary local authority with a stable financial grounding and a focused and driven ambition for the future. Joining the Council’s Children’s Services team at this crucial time in its improvement journey will give you an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people here. 

As our Executive Director (Children's Services), you will do your utmost to meet the needs and aspirations of all children and young people across the Borough in all of our diverse communities and deliver the Council’s strategic priorities across Children’s Services. This includes giving education, inclusion, SEND and children’s social care equal status within a holistic approach.  You will provide expert advice on statutory functions and practice to the Chief Executive, Executive Management Team, and Elected Members.

As a key member of the Executive Management Team, you will support the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Elected Members to achieve the Council’s vision of supporting all residents to thrive. We can offer you a portfolio to match your skills and link our ambition with yours.

Knowsley Council offers all of its staff a supportive, values-led working environment, where integrity, accountability, communication, respect and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.  You will have access to a wide range of benefits, including investment in your development, hybrid working, free car parking and flexible working.

James Duncan - Chief Executive, Councillor Graham Morgan - Leader of the Council and Hilary Brooks - Interim Executive Director (Children's Services) would like to share their messages with you about this important role.

Recruitment Timeline - Key Dates

  • Closing date is 7 November 2025.
  • Long-listing will take place 10/11 November 2025.
  • Technical Interview (remote) 18 November 2025.
  • Panel Interviews (in person) 25 November 2025.
  • Employment and Appointments Committee (in person) 26 November 2025.

Supporting Information

Our Offer

Our workplace offer

Knowsley Council offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package within flexible working arrangements. Find all our employee benefits below.

Financial

  • Competitive salary, which rises annually to the next increment of our pay scale for most roles
  • Annual Pay Awards, which are negotiated nationally and apply to all employees
  • Financial well-being offers and support, including affordable borrowing
  • 24-hour financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme
  • Car mileage payments
  • Free car parking
  • Access to a salary sacrifice scheme to lease hybrid and electric vehicles
  • A home goods and electricals salary sacrifice scheme
  • Transparent pay structures so you are paid fairly in line with peers, and know what you will be paid as you develop your career with the council

Development

  • Engaging in a comprehensive induction programme
  • Fully embedded apprenticeship and graduate development programmes with tailored support and development
  • Collaborative working with educational establishments to support development initiatives and opportunities
  • Levy-funded vocational and degree-level qualifications available
  • Full programme of CPD for work-based learning and development opportunities
  • A wide variety of roles, helping you to try different careers and apply your skills in new areas
  • Opportunities for getting involved in innovative projects and initiatives to support continuous improvement
  • Strong culture of employee engagement as well as reward and recognition – supporting you to be the best you can be

Pensions 

  • Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Unlike many private sector pensions, which are defined contribution (DC), LGPS is a defined benefit (DB) scheme. This means:
    • Pension is based on salary and length of service.
    • Provides a guaranteed income for life after retirement.
    • Less risk for the employee compared to DC schemes.

Whereas most DC schemes are based on the performance of market investments.

  • LGPS pensions are inflation-protected, increasing annually in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), helping maintain purchasing power over time.
  • The council will typically contribute 14-20% towards your pension, compared to lower contributions in many DC schemes.
  • The scheme includes ill health and death benefits, which include immediate access to your pension if you are retired early due to ill health, and a lump sum death benefit of 3 times your salary, as well as survivors' pensions for dependents.
  • Members of the pension scheme can also opt for early retirement from 55 (with reductions to pension benefits).
  • You can find out more about our pensions at Merseyside Pension Fund
  • Ways to top up your pension benefits, including shared cost salary sacrifice, meaning more savings on National Insurance and Income Tax and the option to voluntarily make additional pension contributions.

Wellbeing 

  • 36-hour full-time working week
  • Generous annual leave entitlement with an additional two concessionary days over the festive period, plus public holidays. Entitlement varies depending on grade, as illustrated below, in addition to public holidays. Entitlements below are based on full-time hours and will be pro rata for part-time employees.
Grade (Days) Basic Leave Continuous Service (Days) After 3 Years Continuous Service (Days) After 5 Years Continuous Service (Days) After 5 Years (Days)
Grade A-E 23 24 28 29
Grade F-G 24 25 28 30
Grade H-L 26 27 29 32
Grade M-Q and PMG 1-2 28 29 31 34
PMG 3-5 and Directors 30 31 33 36
  • Option to buy additional annual leave
  • Flexible working
  • Hybrid working in many roles
  • Active travel support with a cycle-to-work scheme
  • 24-hour health and well-being support with access to qualified counsellors and practitioners
  • Occupational health services
  • Workplace adjustments
  • Access to a wide range of wellbeing support material, including lifestyle assessments and recommendations, information about different health and wellbeing subjects and healthy eating recipes.
  • Free flu jab
  • Free eye tests for DSE users
  • Access to a range of health programmes, such as weight management and smoking cessation sessions
  • The council has strong Trade Union representation through Unison, GMB and Unite, and you will have the option to join.

Discounts  

  • A range of lifestyle savings and discounts available to all employees, including high street retailers, dining out, cinema, holidays, days out, health and fitness and beauty
  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Access to reduced-cost travel passes
  • Discounts available through mobile phone providers

Family and Carers support

  • Paternity leave
  • Shared parental leave
  • Unpaid emergency leave support
  • Family-friendly policies supporting fostering, fertility treatment, fostering, adoption and caring responsibilities
  • Carers passports to make sure you’re supported to manage caring responsibilities alongside work
  • Menopause policy, passport, and support

Employee Networks

  • The Changies offers a safe, informal space for men to connect and support each other.
  • The Carer’s Forum offers support to employees with caring responsibilities.
  • The Disability Workers’ Group advocates for disabled employees and helps shape inclusive policies.
  • The LGBTQ+ Forum supports LGBTQ+ staff, promotes visibility, and influences inclusive change.
  • The Multi-Faith and Belief Workers’ Group raises awareness of diverse beliefs to reduce discrimination and improve service delivery.
  • The Neuro Diversity Network offers a place for employees who are neurodiverse to come together and support each other.
  • The United in Diversity Network challenges discrimination and promotes cultural diversity and racial equality.
  • The Women’s Operational Workers’ Network focuses on sex equality in employment and policy development and runs Menopause Cafés.
  • The Youth Employee Network empowers young staff to share experiences, develop skills, and influence workplace culture. 

The employee networks work together on joint projects across the organisation.

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How to apply

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