At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform Adult Social Care services, ensuring compliance and high-quality delivery.
- Company: Join South Gloucestershire Council, a forward-thinking organisation making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, employee wellbeing support, and discounts on travel and leisure activities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on people's lives while driving innovation and change in social care.
- Qualifications: Degree or relevant qualification, registered Social Worker, and extensive experience in leadership roles.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
How you'll make a difference
As the Service Director of Adult Social Services (DASS), you will provide strategic leadership and direction for all Adult Social Care (ASC) statutory functions, ensuring services are delivered effectively, safely and in compliance with legislative requirements and council priorities.
Setting and communicating a clear vision for the service, you will lead transformation and continuous improvement programmes that respond to changing needs and deliver person-centred services.
You will carry overall accountability for statutory compliance, financial performance and service quality, whilst working closely with colleagues across the council and external partners to drive innovation in service delivery and achieve strategic objectives.
Our service was assessed as Requires Improvement at the last CQC assessment, and our teams have worked incredibly hard to make progress to achieve a different outcome at our next assessment.
You will be accountable for developing new options to deliver a more preventative approach, including the delivery of the Future of Prevention programme, on which we are working closely with our ICB and other local authority partners.
- What you will be doing
- As an experienced Service Director, you will provide strategic leadership for statutory functions, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations, effective governance, financial and performance management and continuous service improvement.
- You will lead Adult Social Care services through a period of opportunity and transformation, setting a clear strategic vision that promotes innovation, drives organisational change and delivers sustainable, high-quality services that improve outcomes.
- Using your expertise, you will oversee complex programmes and initiatives, shaping strategic plans, policies and priorities that support council objectives, respond to challenges and influence the future direction of services across the organisation and wider partnership networks.
- It will be your responsibility to manage significant resources, including budgets, workforce planning, risk management and service performance, ensuring value for money, statutory compliance and the efficient delivery of services.
- As a trusted adviser to elected members, senior leaders and stakeholders, you will present clear recommendations, briefings and risk analysis to support informed decision-making and protect the councils reputation.
- Building and maintaining effective partnerships across the council, health and care systems and external organisations, you will drive a collaborative service, promote equality, diversity and inclusion and support the councils climate and sustainability objectives.
- What we need from you
- We require you to hold a degree and/or relevant professional qualification or have equivalent knowledge and experience.
You must also be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Bringing extensive specialist knowledge and expertise in ASC, you will have a comprehensive understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, regulatory frameworks, local government and multi-agency working.
- It is essential that you have a proven track record of providing strategic and operational leadership across large, complex service areas.
You will be able to demonstrate success in delivering services that impact communities and partner organisations, managing challenging situations and operating credibly at a senior level both internally and externally.
- You will have proven success in leading organisational change and innovation, including the successful delivery of complex, high-profile transformation programmes, with significant organisational, financial and reputational impact.
- Given the nature of the role, strong financial and commercial acumen is essential.
You will have significant experience of managing budgets, resources and workforce strategics, with the ability to make informed decisions that deliver value for money, mitigate risk and ensure long-term service sustainability.
- You will have strong partnership, influencing and stakeholder management skills, alongside a comprehensive understanding of local government's social and political role, including knowledge of all relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and procedures, national codes and multidisciplinary practice.
- What you need to know
- All applications will be initially reviewed and if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to complete a psychometric assessment as part of our selection process.
- This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Badminton Road and working from home.
- Interviews will be held in two parts, with a Leadership Panel on 20 th
August.
Selected candidates will be invited to a Members Panel on 21 st
August.
For an informal discussion or further details regarding this role, please contact Chris Sivers on or
- How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
- As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave
(pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
- We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us agreat place to work.
We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted anddevelopedon the basis of their merits and abilities.
- We trust our team to work in the way which allows them to make the biggest difference, and we continue to invest in technology to help staff do their jobs to the best of their ability and celebrate innovation.
- We value our staff as individuals
, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
- Were providing essential services across our internal network to ensure we can fully support our community.
- Were positive and forward thinking, always looking for new and innovative ways of working work and were ambitious about the future.
We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
Were making a difference, be part of it!
To view the full job description, please click this link
Service Director Adult Social Care and DASS - Job Description
Service Director - Adult Social Care and DASS - Yate employer: South Gloucestershire Council
South Gloucestershire Council is an excellent employer for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and positive change. Join us in a role where your contributions directly impact the community and foster meaningful growth.
Contact Details:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Director - Adult Social Care and DASS - Yate
✨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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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 Service Director - Adult Social Care and DASS - Yate
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 South Gloucestershire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Gloucestershire 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 South Gloucestershire 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.
