At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform adult social care services for independent living and dignity.
- Company: Waltham Forest Council, committed to high-quality community services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of adult social care and improve lives in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading adult social care services and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
This is a key senior leadership role, with a high-profile portfolio area involving direct interface with senior NHS leaders and oversight of the Council's CQC regulated services. This AD role is responsible for 260 staff and encompasses:
- Hospital discharge pathways
- Community assessment / intake
- Short-term services / Reablement
- OT and Home Adaptations
- In-house residential homes
- Shared Lives scheme
- The Dementia Hub
In addition to this, the AD for Home First and Provider Services is required to play a central role in the delivery of the department's transformation programme, and act as a senior delivery lead on many areas of high profile change/improvement activity. To lead, develop, organise and control a professional service area ensuring the delivery of the service meets all Council, professional and legislative requirements.
Ability to improve and transform strategy into tangible outcomes for the customers. Lead and model a culture of collaborative working, focussed on integrated services that deliver good outcomes for the people of Waltham Forest. Take the lead for key partnerships agendas, boards and projects working with internal and external key partners to build strong relationships which contribute to the delivery of the Council and departmental objectives, and ensure the reputation of the service and the Council.
About the Role
Waltham Forest is seeking an outstanding senior leader to join our Adult Social Care leadership team as Assistant Director - Home First and Provider Services. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality, integrated adult social care services that support residents to live independently, safely and with dignity. You will lead services including Hospital Discharge, Reablement, Occupational Therapy, Home Adaptations and Provider Services, ensuring excellent outcomes for residents while meeting statutory responsibilities and delivering value for money. You will play a key role in transforming services, embedding innovation, leading partnerships across health and social care, and driving continuous improvement across a large and complex service portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic direction and operational leadership across Home First and Provider Services.
- Translate council priorities into effective service delivery, transformation programmes and measurable outcomes.
- Lead integrated working with NHS partners, providers and key stakeholders.
- Shape and influence borough-wide adult social care strategy and service development.
Service Delivery
- Ensure services meet all legislative, professional and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver high-quality, person-centred services focused on independence, prevention and positive outcomes.
- Oversee performance management frameworks, ensuring continuous improvement and effective quality assurance.
Safeguarding and Quality
- Ensure safeguarding policies, procedures and practices are robust and fully embedded.
- Drive excellent safeguarding outcomes and maintain compliance with statutory responsibilities.
- Provide professional leadership across social care and multi-disciplinary teams.
Leadership and Workforce Development
- Lead, motivate and inspire a large, diverse workforce.
- Foster a high-performance culture where staff are empowered, accountable and focused on delivering positive outcomes.
- Ensure effective workforce planning, recruitment, development and succession planning.
- Provide leadership to senior management teams and professional practitioners.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
- Significant experience leading large-scale adult social care services.
- Proven track record of managing complex service transformation and improvement programmes.
- Experience of managing multidisciplinary and integrated health and social care services.
- Extensive experience of leading large budgets, resources and workforce functions.
- Experience managing services in highly complex and politically sensitive environments.
Knowledge and Skills
- In-depth knowledge of adult social care legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and related statutory frameworks.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and best practice.
- Excellent strategic planning, programme management and change management skills.
- Exceptional leadership, influencing and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Ability to make sound decisions in complex, high-risk situations.
Qualifications
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent.
- Professional Social Work qualification or equivalent Health and Social Care qualification.
- Current Social Work England (SWE) or HCPC registration (where applicable).
- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance.
Assistant Director - Adult Social Care in London employer: Supply Staff Limited
At Supply Staff Limited, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment that empowers our educators to thrive. Located in the vibrant community of Hertfordshire, we offer competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a culture that values creativity and innovation in teaching. Join us to inspire the next generation of performers while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director - Adult Social Care in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director - Adult Social Care in London
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 Supply Staff Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Supply Staff Limited! 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 Supply Staff Limited
✨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.
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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.
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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.
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