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- Tasks: Lead and innovate high-quality care services for vulnerable individuals.
- Company: Outward, a leading social care provider in London for nearly 50 years.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, learning opportunities, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities and autism.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing care services and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to empowering individuals and fostering growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Outward
For almost 50 years, Outward has been a leading provider of high-quality support and care services to people with support needs in London. We are committed to empowering the people we support to live fulfilling lives and make positive choices. At the heart of everything we do are our core values: engaging, enabling, and empowering.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Service, Care & Support to join our senior management team. This new pivotal role involves leading the operational delivery and growth of our Care & Support services, ensuring they are innovative, flexible, and of the highest quality.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of Care and Support to implement strategic objectives, manage stakeholder relationships, and oversee compliance with internal and external quality standards. You will also lead on organisational change, financial performance, and the development of services to meet the needs of the people we support.
If you are passionate about transforming lives of people with a leaning disability or autism and have a proven track record in managing care services, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a real difference.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of high-quality services across Care & Support.
- Oversee budgets, ensuring sound financial performance and value for money.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners and other stakeholders.
- Develop and manage teams, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
- Monitor quality and compliance, addressing any issues proactively.
- Provide effective line management to Area Managers and other senior staff.
- Support organisational growth by identifying and delivering new business opportunities.
Full JD is available on request.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications, so apply early!
Diversity and Safeguarding at Outward
Outward applies its Equal Opportunities Policy at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection is carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age or trade union membership. Those with disabilities meeting the minimum requirements for the post will be shortlisted and reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure they are not disadvantaged during the interview process.
As an employer, who aspire to become Disability Confident Committed, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. Please indicate clearly at the beginning of your supporting statement if you have a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010), and you wish to be considered for an Offer Of an Interview (OOI). Please note that the OOI is available to disabled candidates only. Regrettably, any false declaration of disability in order to secure an interview will impact on your overall application.
Outward is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. If the post you apply for involves working with or having access to adults at risk and/or their records, we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Services for successful candidates. This will be fully subsidised by Outward.
Essential (E):
- Ability to commute to the Outward office (N17) five days a week, if required.
- Proven experience managing high-quality services for vulnerable people.
- Extensive knowledge of care regulations, funding mechanisms, and legal frameworks.
- Strong leadership skills, with a track record of successful change management.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including report writing.
- Demonstrable financial management skills, including budgeting and service pricing.
- Staff must have access to a smartphone capable of receiving SMS messages and installing authentication apps for secure systems access
- Right to Work in the UK. Please note: Outward will not provide visa sponsorship
Desirable (D):
- Professional qualifications in care, management, or a related field.
- Post-graduate degree or diploma in a related field, such as Social Care, Leadership, or Healthcare Management.
- Registration with a professional body in a relevant discipline (e.g., social work, healthcare).
- Experience in co-production, involving people supported and their families in designing and delivering services.
- Ability to secure grant funding or develop successful proposals for projects.
- Knowledge of trends and innovations in the care sector, including digital transformation initiatives.
- Ability to develop and execute strategies to address gaps in service provision.
- A sharp commercial focus with the ability to balance financial sustainability and quality care.
We value everything our staff do for the people we support, so we provide a great benefits package:
- 25 days Annual Leave excluding Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time)
- Comprehensive Learning & Development Programme
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme
- Death in Service Benefit
- Health Assured – Employee Assistance Programme
- Eye care Vouchers
- Flu Jab Reimbursement
- Pension Scheme
- Purchase Additional Annual Leave
- Refer-a-Friend Scheme
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Head of Service - Care & Support (Social Care) employer: Outward
Contact Detail:
Outward Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Care & Support (Social Care)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Outward and its values. Understand their commitment to empowering individuals and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for leading Care & Support services. Highlight your past successes in managing teams and improving service quality, as this will show you’re the right fit for the Head of Service role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Outward and making a difference in the lives of those we support.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Care & Support (Social Care)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing care services. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of Service, your leadership experience is crucial. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and managed change in previous roles to demonstrate your capability.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your supporting statement, keep it clear and to the point. We want to see your passion and qualifications without wading through unnecessary details.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in through our website as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Outward
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of care regulations and funding mechanisms. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics, but that you truly understand the landscape of social care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams and led change in previous roles. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead the Care & Support services effectively.
✨Engage with Their Values
Outward places a strong emphasis on engaging, enabling, and empowering. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples of how you've embodied these principles in your work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation's future plans and how they measure success in their services. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
