Overview

Head of Service - Skills and Employability - Ref: CH05125

Salary: £81,501.00-£92,483.00

We are looking for a Head of Service: Head of Skills and Employability to join our Access & Inclusion Management Team.

It is an exciting time to join Walsall Children’s Services as we are on a ‘Walsall Right for Children’ transformation journey, transforming services to ensure children and families are at the centre of everything we do. This has been recognised by His Majesty’s Ofsted inspectors who described Walsall Council as a place where children are at the heart, and rated Children’s Services as ‘Outstanding’ in July 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for someone to make a real difference to children and families and to help develop our team.

Closing date: 22 September 2025

Interviews: 30 September 2025

Responsibilities

• Operate as a system leader for the Employment and Skills Service. This involves working across the Council to deliver a strategy and supporting delivery arrangements that enhance skills throughout all ages and joins up activity across the economy and growth service with education and community services to maximise the talent and expertise of Walsall residents.


• Lead and implement a Skills and Employability Strategy which complements the economic development and growth vision for the Borough and ensures that the authority is able to make best use of the regional resources being determined by the Combined Authority and the consequential impact on devolution. This includes understanding and enhancing opportunities for business growth across different sectors and making sure the business support services are meeting current and future need.


• To build and develop effective and relationships with all stakeholders in developing employment and skills enhancement opportunities for Walsall residents. This will include schools, colleges, business support providers and other educational establishments as well as employers, and national and regional partner agencies, such as DWP and the Combined Authority, so that opportunities are maximised to increase the number of Walsall residents in employment, education and training.


• To engage with schools, colleges and other educational establishments to develop a strategic and comprehensive approach to skills development so that school and college leavers feel confident that they will be able to continue to develop their skills through interesting and fulfilling career choices.


• To support colleagues across education and employment sectors to develop excellent learning services from end-to-end experience for children and adult learners, supporting the cradle to career approach. Thos will involve having an in-depth understanding of workforce challenges so that the learning offer is adapted to address the gap in skills and provide opportunities for local people.


• Seek out opportunities for workforce and recruitment engagement. Work closely with employers to understand their needs and identify opportunities that will inform strategies and delivery plans to meet future need and deliver sustainable improvement which will achieve the Council’s ambition.


• Work closely with national and regional agencies to maximise grant and funding opportunities that can assist in delivering the service and fulfil Council priorities such as improving youth unemployment. This includes overseeing and manage grant spending and ensuring full compliance with contract requirements.


• Engage proactively with leaders in schools, colleges and early years settings to support effective planning so that there is synergy between national curriculum requirements and localised skills development.


• Be responsible for identifying, tracking and helping young people who are at risk of becoming, or, not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and provide targeted support to help these young people participate in education or training.


• Work with partners to ensure information, advice, and guidance (IAG) about careers is provided to help young people make informed decisions about their education and training and that vulnerable young people specifically are involved in a range of career guidance activities.


• Put measures in place to manage and monitor all service budgets ensuring all resources are well targeted and reflect agreed priorities and represent value for money.

Please contact Sharon Kelly, Director-Access and Inclusion for further information at sharon.kelly@walsall.gov.uk

View: Job Description and Employee Specification

Walsall Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Legislation imposes restrictions on political activity for certain local government employees. This position is designated as a politically restricted (sensitive) post as set out in Part 1 the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990 (LGO(PR)R 1990) [SI 851] and S.30 of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people and vulnerable adults.

Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas

Information for Applicants

Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. See our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting Agency applications or referrals at this time