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- Tasks: Lead and improve adult social care services, making a real impact on communities.
- Company: Join Blackpool Council, an ambitious organisation dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive local government benefits, pension, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant influence and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a genuine difference in people's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in adult social care and relevant social work qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Closing Date: Thursday 14 May 2026 at 23:59
Shortlisting Date: Friday 15 May 2026
Technical Interviews: W/C 18 May 2026 (Date TBC)
Assessment Day and Formal Panel Interviews: W/C 8th June 2026 (Date TBC)
Blackpool Council is seeking an inspirational and experienced senior leader to join our Adult Social Care leadership team as Assistant Director of Adult Social Care (Operations). This is a critical statutory leadership role with responsibility for the operational delivery, quality, and performance of adult social care services. You will play a pivotal role in improving outcomes for adults with care and support needs, their carers and families, while ensuring the council meets its duties under the Care Act 2014 and related legislation.
About the role
Reporting directly to the Director of Adult Social Care (DASS), you will provide strategic and operational leadership across adult social care operations, including:
- Community and hospital social care
- Mental health services
- Learning disability and autism
- Safeguarding assurance and professional practice
- Transformation, governance and business support
You will line manage five Heads of Service, oversee a combined staffing and commissioning budget of approximately £60m, and deputise for the DASS as required at corporate, regional and partnership levels. A key priority will be to lead improvement activity and ensure services are Local Authority Assurance and Inspection-ready, with the ambition of achieving Good or Outstanding CQC outcomes, while maintaining strong financial control and workforce sustainability.
What you’ll be accountable for
- Providing visible, values-led leadership across Adult Social Care Operations
- Ensuring statutory compliance with the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act and safeguarding duties
- Driving service improvement, quality assurance and performance management
- Leading and supporting inspection preparation and regulatory engagement with CQC
- Managing complex budgets and delivering within the Medium-Term Financial Plan
- Strengthening multi-agency working across health, housing, voluntary and community partners
- Promoting strong professional practice, safeguarding assurance and ethical and defensible decision-making
- Developing a resilient, skilled and motivated leadership and workforce culture
What we’re looking for
- You will be an accomplished senior leader with substantial experience working at a Head of Service and/or strategic level within Adult Social Care.
- A recognised social work qualification (BA Hons, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent)
- Registration with Social Work England
- Significant senior leadership experience within adult social care services
- In-depth knowledge of adult social care legislation, safeguarding, regulatory frameworks and best practice
- Proven experience of leading service improvement, managing large budgets and operating in a complex political environment
- Strong partnership, influencing and negotiation skills
Why join Blackpool?
Blackpool is an ambitious council serving communities with some of the most complex needs in the country. This is an opportunity to make a genuine system-wide impact, working with committed partners and political leaders who are determined to improve outcomes for local people.
We offer:
- A senior leadership role with real influence
- Competitive local government benefits and pension
- A supportive, values-driven organisational culture
If you are interested in joining Blackpool Adult Social Care Leadership Team and want to have a conversation about the role, please email our Director of Adult Social Care Nick Henson who will be more than happy to discuss further with you.
At this point in time we are not able to offer a Visa sponsorship in this role due to operational reasons.
Assistant Director of Adult Services - Operations in Burnley employer: Blackpool Council
Contact Detail:
Blackpool Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Adult Services - Operations in Burnley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the adult social care sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Blackpool Council and understand their values and goals. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission to improve outcomes for adults and communities. We want to see you shine when it comes to showcasing your leadership skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your experience in managing complex budgets and leading service improvements. We’re here to help you nail those tough questions!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Adult Services - Operations in Burnley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Assistant Director of Adult Services. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior leadership position, don’t hold back on sharing examples of your leadership experience. We want to see how you've driven service improvements and managed complex budgets in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and allows you to access all the details about the role and benefits of working with Blackpool Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blackpool Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, and other relevant legislation. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules but also understand their implications for adult social care.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your leadership experience, especially in managing large teams and budgets. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as this will highlight your capability to lead effectively in a complex environment.
✨Showcase Service Improvement Initiatives
Be ready to talk about any service improvement initiatives you've led in the past. Discuss the strategies you implemented, the outcomes achieved, and how they align with the goals of Blackpool Council. This will demonstrate your proactive approach to enhancing adult social care services.
✨Engage with Multi-Agency Collaboration
Highlight your experience in working with various stakeholders, including health, housing, and community partners. Prepare to discuss how you’ve strengthened partnerships and improved multi-agency working, as this is crucial for the role.