About working for Wakefield Council
The Council
Wakefield Council is the largest employer in the district and the 18th largest in England and Wales. With over 8,000 employees engaged in a variety of different occupations providing a wide range of services.
The Council has long been one of the success stories of local government; we are financially responsible and have delivered on our commitments through economically successful and challenging times. We are a Council with strong leadership, high skills and competencies, and dedicated and empowered people.
We have a clear and ambitious vision for a 21st Century district where everyone benefits from the strengths of the district and its continued growth. We are committed to quality in everything we do, from public realm to social care – and to getting the best possible outcomes for all our people, in all our places.
We have continued to protect our most vulnerable people and maintain the core services on which ordinary families rely.
Yet we have more to do. Over the next five years we want to see a real reduction in poverty and a growth in skills. Both inside and outside the Council, we also want to up our game in using new technology and ways of working.
We are not afraid to think differently, to forge new partnerships and set new directions. We are caring, ambitious and forward looking, proud of our teams and of our district.
About the district
Wakefield is at the heart of Yorkshire, with a population of 336,000 based around Wakefield City, the Five Towns (Pontefract, Castleford, Knottingley, Featherstone and Normanton), and the towns and villages to the northwest of the district. We have vibrant urban centres, a rich open countryside, with four country parks and beautiful green spaces.
We have an increasingly diverse population and a proud community with strong links.
It's important to us that Wakefield continues to be a place where all communities and families can make the most of their opportunities - enjoy their lives and achieve their potential.
This is reflected in our proud local traditions of sport, culture, and contemporary art. We are home not only to the internationally acclaimed Hepworth Gallery and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, but also to three professional rugby league clubs.
We have excellent travel links, sitting on the intersection of the M1 and M62, with rail links on the East Coast mainline for London, Northeast and Scotland plus TransPennine services via Leeds.
As well as having our own lovely surroundings, we are within easy travelling distance for the Peak District, the Dales, the North Yorkshire Moors, and the East Coast.
International air links are close by at Leeds Bradford airport.
Our values and behaviours
Our values and behaviours are at the heart of everything we do. The way we lead, manage, and behave has a direct impact on the services we provide to our communities and each other. Our positive workplace culture will be created by our values and individual and group behaviours. Our values will set us apart from other organisations as an Employer of Choice. They will provide a clear guide on how to act in various situations and are the standards that will deliver organisational success.
The Council's "Values" are:
- we are caring and kind
- we work together effectively
- we are ambitious for our district
Underpinning each value is a set of behaviours.
We are caring and kind:
- we listen to and respect others’ views
- we support and enable individuals and our communities
- we include others
We work together effectively:
- we share information and knowledge
- we encourage, develop, and support each other
- we communicate openly and clearly
We are ambitious for our district:
- we make a difference and deliver on our commitments
- we make improvements and try new ways of doing things
- we reflect on and learn from our experiences and welcome feedback
Our values and behaviours have been brought to life in short, animated videos.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
For more information on our equality, diversity and inclusion, please see our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
Positive action at Wakefield Council
Positive Action Statement
Wakefield Council are committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, for both our colleagues within the Council and the services that we deliver to our residents.
Some people may think they do not fit in at the Council because of their lifestyle or background. Or that the role(s) are not available to them because of their:
- gender
- gender reassignment
- ethnicity
- disability
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
- marriage or civil partnership
- age
Positive action aims to bust such myths and encourage more people to apply for posts.
The Council values its colleagues. Every colleague deserves to work in a fair and inclusive environment that values all colleagues as their true selves. Positive action is a demonstration of the Council's commitment to this and will serve as affirmation for all protected groups, encouraging applications.
An example of Positive Action is the Council's commitment to the Disability Confident scheme.
Positive Action Initiatives will also be monitored, evaluated, and reported to the Corporate Management Team as part of Our People Strategy.
