Local Evidence Lead, Children’s Services
Employer: Wokingham Borough Council Salary: £59,009 – £64,673 per annum, plus benefits Location: Shute End, Wokingham Contract: Contract Working Pattern: Full Time Hours: 37 hours per week. DBS Check: Enhanced Closing Date: 11/01/2026 at 23:00 Reference:
Local Evidence Lead – Children’s Services
Salary (Grade 11): £59,009 – £64,673 per annum
Help us put the best evidence into practice-locally, thoughtfully, and with impact. We’re seeking an experienced, strategic Evidence & Practice Lead to drive evidence-informed decision-making across Children’s Services in Wokingham. You’ll work at the heart of our system-advising senior leaders and partners, shaping locally relevant research and tools, and championing a culture where data, insight, and lived experience combine to improve outcomes for children and families.
What you’ll do
- Advise senior leaders & partners on increasing evidence use and embedding evidence-based practice-tailored to Wokingham’s diverse socio-economic and demographic profile, changing population, and areas of specific need.
- Design and deliver localised research & evidence products to address gaps across the Children’s Services system, translating insights into delivery plans and service improvements.
- Provide system leadership to embed evidence-use across Children’s Services and multi-agency partnerships, building capability and setting standards.
- Champion evidence-led practice , empowering leaders and teams to critically engage with research and make informed decisions.
- Work in partnership with Foundations (the Government-appointed What Works Centre for Children & Families) to implement locally relevant recommendations from Practice Guides and the Foundations Guidebook.
- Collaborate across Insight & Intelligence, Strategy, Transformation & Commissioning, and Public Health to apply evidence in the design and delivery of effective services.
- Build communities of practice and use events, webinars, and networks to promote best practice, share learning across neighbouring authorities, and contribute to regional/national knowledge exchange.
- Integrate local insights and data -including Wokingham’s JSNA, feedback from children and families, and demand/trend analysis-into commissioning and the selection of evidence-based interventions.
Why Wokingham?
Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus
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