At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage services supporting neurodivergent individuals, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Specialist provider focused on adult and young people's neurodivergent support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced pension, generous leave, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: On-site role in West Lothian with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of neurodivergent individuals while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in regulated services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
ADULT & YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERVICES – NEURODIVERGENT SUPPORT
LOCATION: WEST LOTHIAN (ON-SITE)
Compass Associates are proud to be working in partnership with a specialist provider to recruit a Head of Service for a portfolio of adult and young people's services. This is a senior leadership position with full operational accountability for multiple regulated services, supporting neurodivergent individuals through tailored, person-centred programmes focused on independence, wellbeing and positive outcomes.
THE ROLE
As Head of Service, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership, quality and performance of a group of specialist services, while contributing to wider organisational strategy as part of the senior leadership team. Key responsibilities include:
- Providing visible, hands-on leadership across multiple regulated services
- Acting as Registered Manager, ensuring safe, compliant and high-quality service delivery
- Leading and developing Team Leaders and frontline staff to deliver consistent, person-centred support
- Acting as the escalation point for complex operational, safeguarding and practice issues
- Building strong relationships with families, regulators, local authorities and external partners
- Driving service quality, safeguarding standards and inspection readiness
- Leading service design, continuous improvement and innovation across the portfolio
- Embedding a culture of accountability, reflective practice and inclusion
- Overseeing performance, data, reporting and governance requirements
- Managing budgets and resources effectively in line with operational priorities
This role combines strategic oversight with operational leadership and will suit an experienced leader comfortable working at pace within a regulated and values-led environment.
ABOUT YOU
- Qualified Registered Manager in line with SSSC requirements
- Significant experience leading regulated services within adult social care
- Strong background in quality, safeguarding and continuous improvement
- Experience supporting neurodivergent individuals and/or young people with complex needs
- Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and develop high-performing cultures
- Confident working with regulators, commissioners and external stakeholders
- Strong communication and reporting capability, including presenting to senior leadership
- Commercial awareness, including budget management and resource planning
- Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational involvement
LOCATION AND PACKAGE
On-site role based in West Lothian
Full-time, 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including enhanced pension, generous annual leave and wellbeing support
CANDIDATE SUITABILITY NOTE
This role requires prior experience operating at a senior level within regulated services, including holding or working towards registration. Applications will only be considered from candidates who meet this level of experience.
WANT TO APPLY?
Submit your CV and we'll be in touch to discuss compatibility.
Contact: domalley@compassltd.co.uk
Tel: 0161 527 9638
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you are not interested but know someone who is, we offer £500 in vouchers for successful recommendations.
Head of Service employer: LinkedIn
At Compass Associates, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Head of Service role in West Lothian. Our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, which includes enhanced pension contributions, generous annual leave, and dedicated wellbeing support. We prioritise employee growth through continuous professional development opportunities, ensuring that our leaders are equipped to drive positive outcomes for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Service role. Personal recommendations can make all the difference, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its services thoroughly. Understand their approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals and think about how your experience aligns with their values and goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved service quality in previous roles. Highlight your hands-on approach and commitment to person-centred support to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Service role. Highlight your leadership experience in regulated services and any work you've done with neurodivergent individuals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals. Share specific examples of how you've driven service quality and led teams in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you build relationships with teams and stakeholders, and how you foster a culture of accountability and inclusion.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at LinkedIn
✨Know Your Services Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the services you'll be overseeing. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of neurodivergent individuals and how your experience aligns with the tailored programmes they require.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Share specific examples that highlight your ability to foster a high-performing culture and drive service quality.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions about complex operational issues or safeguarding scenarios. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and commitment to person-centred support.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Relationships
Highlight your experience working with regulators, local authorities, and families. Be ready to discuss how you've built strong relationships in the past and how you plan to maintain these connections to ensure compliance and quality service delivery.
