Project and Service Improvement Officer – Children & Families Service

Hackney Children and Families Service is recruiting a Projects & Service Improvement Officer to join our Quality Assurance and Improvement Team (QAIT) based in our Children and Education Directorate. This is a key role for the service which will help to strengthen our approach to service improvement and maintain high standards in delivering project work across the service.

The Quality Assurance and Improvement Team (QAIT) forms part of the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service comprising four hubs: Quality Assurance; Workforce & Practice Development; Complaints & Feedback; and Project & Service Improvement. This role is part of the Projects & Service Improvement Hub.

Our vision and mission statement are focused on improving outcomes for children underpinned by our Systemic, Trauma-Informed, and Anti-Racist (STAR) practice model. We are looking for someone who wants to play a key role in assisting the service in the development, delivery, and monitoring of this important work.

You will provide high-quality project and service improvement support and project management expertise to the Children and Families Service as a member of the Projects & Service Improvement Hub, supporting the successful delivery of projects on time and to budget to improve outcomes for children and families. This dynamic role will work across a range of projects and initiatives including contributing to a critical programme of work relating to our Family Help Reforms and supporting senior-level governance frameworks.

We are looking for an organised, and solution-focused individual committed to working effectively to bring about positive change for children and families.

The successful candidate will have:

-Knowledge of and the ability to use structured project management methodology and generating relevant tools and project documentation.

-Experience of leading and supporting projects and service improvement work.

-The ability to digest and assess a wide range of information and evidence to develop innovative approaches to solve problems.

-The ability to communicate well with others (verbally and written), build trust, and develop strong cross-service working relationships with managers and staff involved in projects.

-The ability to service and organise high-level board meetings including professional high-level minute taking

-An understanding of, and commitment to Anti-Racism and Anti-Discriminatory practice, developing equitable and inclusive services.

-Experience of working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including partner organisations, in order to deliver change initiatives.

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 26 May 2025 (22:59)

Interview date: W/c 09 June 2025

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk