At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic improvement in adult social care and drive meaningful change.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council, a diverse and ambitious local authority.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and to shape the future of social care.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community wellbeing and support independence.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in adult social care and strong programme management skills.
Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days in Southampton
Contract: 2-year fixed term contract or secondment
Salary: Up to £94,853 per annum
Lead improvement where it matters most. In Southampton, adult social care plays a vital role in supporting people to live independent, healthy and fulfilled lives. At a time of significant change and opportunity, we are investing in strong, strategic leadership to drive improvement and long-term sustainability across the system. This is a critical, high-impact role for an experienced and credible leader who can operate at pace, bring clarity in complexity and deliver meaningful, lasting change.
About the role: This is a senior leadership role with a clear mandate: to lead and deliver the council’s adult social care strategic improvement programme. You will operate at a senior level, working closely with the Adult Social Care Leadership Team, corporate services and system partners to ensure alignment, pace and impact. You will lead during a period of high visibility and scrutiny, ensuring the council responds effectively to regulatory expectations, strengthens governance and delivers sustained improvement in outcomes for adults and carers.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading the council’s strategic improvement programme in Adult Social Care in response to regulatory findings and external assurance requirements
- Developing and delivering a comprehensive plan, including immediate corrective actions and longer-term system change
- Providing independent challenge and oversight to identify risks, performance issues and governance gaps
- Ensuring robust programme management, governance and performance monitoring to track progress and impact
- Working alongside senior leaders to drive urgent operational, structural and cultural improvements across Adult Social Care
- Acting as the senior liaison with regulators and improvement partners, coordinating high-quality submissions and assurance reporting
- Providing clear, timely reporting to senior leadership and Members on risks, progress and decisions required
About you: We are looking for a values-driven, resilient and highly capable leader with the credibility to operate at a senior level in a complex and high-profile environment. You will bring a strong track record of leading improvement, recovery or transformation within adult social care or a comparable public sector setting, alongside excellent judgement and political awareness. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Substantial leadership experience within adult social care, regulation, improvement or transformation
- Strong knowledge of the Care Act 2014, statutory responsibilities, and the regulatory landscape
- Experience of leading complex recovery or improvement programmes in high-risk, high-scrutiny environments
- Ability to analyse performance issues, identify root causes and deliver sustainable solutions at pace
- Strong programme management, risk management and performance oversight
- Excellent communication skills, with experience producing high-quality reports and engaging senior stakeholders, Members and regulators
- Confidence to influence at executive and political level, building trust and maintaining constructive relationships
- Personal resilience, integrity and the ability to lead effectively under pressure
Why Southampton? Southampton is a diverse and ambitious city, with both the challenges and the opportunities of a much larger authority. Adult Social Care sits at the heart of our ambition to tackle inequality, improve wellbeing and support independence. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in shaping recovery and improvement at pace, working alongside Members, partners and colleagues across the system to deliver real and lasting change. If you are motivated by challenge, impact and public service, we would welcome your application.
What we can offer you:
- Salary: Starting salary is up to £94,853 per annum.
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
For further information on our benefits package, please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)
Head of Strategic Recovery (Adult Social Care) in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Southampton City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead strategic recovery in Adult Social Care within a diverse and ambitious city. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous holidays and health support, we foster a supportive work culture that values public service and meaningful impact. Join us in shaping the future of adult social care while enjoying a fulfilling career in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Recovery (Adult Social Care) in Southampton
✨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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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 Head of Strategic Recovery (Adult Social Care) in Southampton
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 Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton City 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 Southampton City 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.
