Job Description
6 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• We are currently seeking a highly experienced Head of Service to lead adult social care services within the Learning and Disability division.
• This is a senior leadership role offering both strategic and operational oversight of statutory adult services, in line with relevant legislative frameworks such as the Care Act 2014 and Children Act 1989.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for driving service improvements, delivering high-quality outcomes for vulnerable adults, and shaping strategic direction across a complex service area.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for services within Adult Social Care, with a focus on learning disabilities.
• Ensure the effective delivery of statutory social work services in accordance with the Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989, and associated legislation.
• Line manage Operational Managers, overseeing large multidisciplinary teams and complex caseloads.
• Promote and safeguard the wellbeing of vulnerable adults and children, ensuring all services are compliant with safeguarding standards.
• Take professional decisions on complex and high-risk cases, maintaining governance and escalation protocols.
• Lead performance management and ensure delivery of key KPIs and outcomes.
• Manage budgets and ensure efficient use of allocated resources across service areas.
• Lead on partnership development, working collaboratively with internal teams, health services, voluntary sector, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to and deliver strategic planning, service transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Support and influence council-wide policy development and decision-making processes.
• Maintain oversight of health and safety compliance within service areas.
• Deputise for senior leadership where required.
Skills/Experience:
• Substantial senior management experience in Adult Social Care or a related statutory setting.
• Proven leadership of learning disability services, or similar complex care pathways.
• Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989, and relevant safeguarding legislation.
• Demonstrable experience managing large teams and driving service transformation.
• Skilled in budget management, strategic planning, and performance monitoring.
• Proven ability to build effective multi-agency partnerships and work collaboratively at all levels.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and decision-making in high-risk social care scenarios.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and staff development skills.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Safeguarding Board training or equivalent experience preferred.
Additional Information:
• Degree-level qualification and a professional social work qualification (e.g. DipSW/CQSW).
• HCPC or Social Work England registration (as applicable).
• Working Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week.
• The closing date: 18/10/2025.
• This hybrid role offers flexibility with on-site presence required 2 days per week.
Requirements
• Substantial senior management experience in Adult Social Care or a related statutory setting. • Proven leadership of learning disability services, or similar complex care pathways. • Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989, and relevant safeguarding legislation. • Demonstrable experience managing large teams and driving service transformation. • Skilled in budget management, strategic planning, and performance monitoring. • Proven ability to build effective multi-agency partnerships and work collaboratively at all levels. • Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and decision-making in high-risk social care scenarios. • Excellent communication, leadership, and staff development skills. • Evidence of ongoing professional development. • Safeguarding Board training or equivalent experience preferred.