Head of Service - Housing & Inclusion

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Terms and Conditions: 37 hours, permanent

Shortlisting Date: 17 August 2026

Interview Date: 26 August 2026

Blackburn with Darwen is seeking an outstanding leader to join the Adults & Health Directorate as Head of Housing and Inclusion. This is a key senior leadership role, leading services that help residents live safe, independent and fulfilling lives.

You will lead a broad portfolio across housing needs, homelessness, inclusion, prevention and community support, ensuring the Council meets its statutory duties while improving outcomes for residents and communities.

Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership across the Council and with partners in health, housing, the voluntary sector, community safety, criminal justice and wider public services to deliver prevention, reduce inequalities and support people before crisis.

The role includes leading homelessness and housing needs services, preventing homelessness, reducing rough sleeping, improving access to safe and sustainable accommodation, and developing effective responses to growing demand.

You will also oversee support for asylum seekers, refugees and newly arrived communities; the First Point of Contact for Adult Services; social prescribing and community connector services; the Complex Lives Partnership; and the Crisis Resilience Fund.

Across these areas, you will promote timely advice, strengths-based practice, trauma-informed support, co-production, effective partnership working and targeted help for residents facing hardship, housing instability or multiple disadvantage.

We are looking for an inspirational, credible and strategic leader with strong political awareness, a clear focus on outcomes and performance, and the ability to lead complex services through change.

You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in housing, health, social care, community services or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of homelessness, housing needs, inclusion, prevention and community wellbeing.
• Experience of leading transformation, managing budgets and performance, and improving services.
• A strong track record of partnership working across councils, health, housing and the voluntary sector.

This is an opportunity to shape services that make a real difference to residents, working within an ambitious leadership team focused on innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome candidates from all backgrounds who can support inclusive, respectful and anti-discriminatory practice.

If you are a strategic leader with a passion for housing, prevention, inclusion and community wellbeing, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Brendan Gray, Assistant Director – Social Work & Housing Needs, via email at brendan.gray@blackburn.gov.uk and a convenient time will be arranged.