Deputy Head of Service – Access & Duty
Adult Social Care – Adults, Health & Integration
£450 per day (Umbrella)
Hackney Council is seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Deputy Head of Service – Access & Duty to play a pivotal leadership role at the front door of Adult Social Care. This is a high‑impact interim opportunity, combining operational oversight with innovation, system‑wide collaboration and strong people leadership.
About the Role
As Deputy Head of Service, you will provide senior leadership across the Access & Duty service, supporting safe, timely and person‑centred responses for adults contacting Adult Social Care. You will work closely with the Head of Service, Assistant Director and wider system partners to drive quality, performance and continuous improvement.
A key focus of the role is transforming how residents access support, ensuring services are preventative, strengths‑based and responsive to need.
Key Priorities & Responsibilities
You will:
* Lead the expansion of digital access, increasing the availability of information and self‑assessments through Hackney’s digital programme.
* Work in partnership with Customer Services and internal teams to strengthen entry points into Adult Social Care and improve customer experience.
* Support and embed a reablement‑first approach, aligned with new models of delivery launching in January 2026.
* Drive the increased use of Occupational Therapists as a preventative intervention for new Adult Social Care referrals.
* Provide operational and strategic oversight, ensuring statutory duties, quality standards and KPIs are met.
* Manage resources effectively, contributing to budget control, efficiencies and value for money.
* Lead service improvement, change management and new ways of working.
* Line manage one direct report (Team Manager), with scope to support an expanding team and evolving processes.
About You
You will be a confident senior leader with significant experience in Adult Social Care or a related health or social care setting. You will bring:
* A relevant professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Nursing, Allied Health Profession, Public Health) with appropriate registration.
* Proven leadership experience in complex, fast‑paced environments.
* Strong background in service transformation, performance management and partnership working.
* Sound knowledge of adult social care legislation, safeguarding duties and national policy.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
* A strong commitment to equality, inclusion and strengths‑based practice.
To Apply:
Get in contact with QSW Talent Partner,