At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding and quality improvement in Adult Social Care across Kent.
- Company: Kent County Council, a leader in innovative social care services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to inclusion and professional excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Adult Social Care and improve lives in diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Role Overview
Are you an inspirational social work leader with a passion for safeguarding, professional excellence and continuous improvement?
We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Director of Safeguarding, Practice and Quality (Principal Social Worker) to provide strategic leadership across Adult Social Care and Health.
Kent is one of the largest and most ambitious Adult Social Care systems in the country, supporting over 34,000 residents across diverse communities.
As we deliver our refreshed Making a Difference Every Day Adult Social Care Strategy, we are seeking exceptional Assistant Directors to help lead system-wide transformation, improve outcomes and shape sustainable services for the future.
Our strategy sets out a renewed and ambitious direction for Adult Social Care in Kent.
It reaffirms our commitment to strengths‑based practice, prevention and partnership working – making this an exciting time to join our leadership team.
This is a high‑profile leadership role with the opportunity to influence practice, shape policy, drive innovation and ensure that people drawing on care and support receive the highest quality services possible.
As the statutory Principal Social Worker, you will be a visible and influential leader across the organisation and wider health and care system.
Working closely with senior leaders, elected members and system partners, you will lead the development of safeguarding, policy, quality assurance and practice improvement that deliver better outcomes for Kent residents.
You will play a pivotal role in strengthening professional standards, developing the adult social care workforce, influencing strategic priorities across health and social care, and ensuring that the voice of people with lived experience is at the heart of service development and improvement.
- Key Qualifications and Experience
- Significant experience of leading safeguarding, quality assurance, practice development or service improvement functions within Adult Social Care.
- Strong systems leadership skills and the ability to influence across organisations and professional boundaries.
- A deep understanding of adult social care legislation, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act.
- A proven ability to lead through change, inspire high‑performing teams and promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and partnership‑building skills, with the ability to operate effectively in complex and politically sensitive environments.
- A genuine commitment to co‑production, inclusion and ensuring that voices of the people with lived experience shape the services we deliver.
This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of Adult Social Care in one of the country's largest local authorities.
You will join an ambitious leadership team committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for residents through innovation, collaboration and professional excellence.
You will have the platform to drive meaningful change, strengthen safeguarding and quality across the system, and leave a lasting legacy for the people and communities we serve.
At Kent County Council, our values matter.
We are brave, curious, compassionate, accountable and stronger together.
We are looking for a leader who shares these values and can inspire others to deliver their very best ever day.
If you are an experienced social care leader who wants to influence strategic direction, champion excellent practice and drive better outcomes for adults across Kent, we would love to hear from you.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.
This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – the Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so that, while this job requires the jobholder to drive, your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.
As part of the interview process for this role you may be required to complete additional testing.
Work that works for you and us – let's talk flexibility!
KCC is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note – if you are interested, please apply soon as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director - Adult Social Care and Health in Maidstone
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kent County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kent County Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kent County Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kent County Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director - Adult Social Care and Health in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kent County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kent County Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kent County Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
