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- Tasks: Lead teams to support adults with disabilities and drive transformative change in services.
- Company: Surrey County Council, committed to improving lives and promoting independence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, agile working, professional growth, and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and neurodiversity.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification, management experience, and knowledge of social care and health services.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team shaping the future of local government and community services.
The predicted salary is between 80300 - 107400 £ per year.
The starting salary for this role is £90,363 per annum, working 36 hours per week. Are you passionate about making a difference for adults with disabilities and neurodiversity? Do you have the vision and leadership to drive transformation and deliver outstanding outcomes for Surrey's residents? We are seeking an exceptional leader to become our Assistant Director - Lifelong Services - Disabilities. This is a pivotal role, leading specialist teams to provide dedicated support for individuals with learning disabilities and neurodiversity and overseeing county-wide transitions services to ensure young people and their families experience the highest quality outcomes.
You will lead the Supported Independent Living services, promote a compelling case for raising professional expectations and work collaboratively across the Council and with partners to deliver great services for residents.
About Us
The Adults, Wellbeing & Health Partnerships directorate is on a significant and ambitious transformation programme, with a focus on independence, prevention and early intervention strategies, tackling inequalities and improving access to services to ensure that no-one is left behind. You'll be part of a forward-thinking leadership team, shaping the future of services for our residents. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a real difference.
About the Role
As the Assistant Director, you will lead and manage the Learning Disability and Autism teams, Transition Team and in house Supported Independent Living services. You will be responsible for delivering assessments and interventions that promote independence and improve outcomes for individuals and their families or carers. A key part of the role is to drive transformation from traditional institutional care to community-based services that reflect people's aspirations for ordinary lives and your role will be to work with commissioning colleagues to ensure services promote independence and build community capacity, ensuring access to universal services and employment.
Collaboration is central to the role, as you will work closely with colleagues in the Children, Families, and Lifelong Learning Directorate, as well as the NHS and other Health partners. Efficient management of budgets and resources is essential, ensuring quality, compliance and value for money. Finally, you will champion equality, diversity and inclusion, providing leadership on equality issues throughout the service.
The contractual base for this role is the Council's headquarters at Woodhatch Place in Reigate, however travel around the County for meetings and visiting teams is required. Agile working is supported, meaning you can work however, whenever, and wherever suits you best around requirements to physically attend a Surrey location.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- A degree-level or equivalent qualification, with management experience in a complex business environment.
- Membership of an appropriate professional body or evidence of continuing professional development.
- Extensive professional knowledge of social care and health service provision for adults, including the impacts of disability or autism.
- A complete understanding of the statutory framework for health and social care, relevant legislation, best practice and research.
- Proven ability to lead transformational change, manage budgets and deliver high-quality services.
- Excellent communication, analytical and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop teams.
If you are ready to take the next step in your leadership career and share our ambition for excellence in adult social care, we would love to hear from you.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Key Dates
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 08/02/2026. Shortlisting is planned for the week commencing 09/02/2026. Interview dates to be confirmed.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Assistant Director - Lifelong Services - Disabilities in England employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director - Lifelong Services - Disabilities in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around supporting individuals with disabilities and promoting independence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence. Focus on articulating your vision for transformation in services and how you can lead teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director - Lifelong Services - Disabilities in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role Inside Out: Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what the Assistant Director role entails. Dive into the job description and highlight key responsibilities and skills. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill!
Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples that demonstrate your leadership and transformational change abilities. Use clear, concise language to illustrate how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in social care or health services.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We want to see your passion for making a difference in the lives of adults with disabilities and neurodiversity. Share your motivations and values, and how they align with our mission at Surrey.
Apply Through Our Website: Once you're happy with your application, make sure to submit it through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the social care and health service provision for adults, especially regarding disabilities and autism. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices, as this will show your commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead transformational change and manage teams effectively. Think about specific situations where you've inspired or motivated others, as this is crucial for the role of Assistant Director.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to discuss how you've worked with various stakeholders in the past. Highlight any partnerships you've built with health services or community organisations, as this will showcase your ability to work across different sectors.
✨Budget Management Know-How
Familiarise yourself with budget management principles and be prepared to discuss your experience in this area. Bring examples of how you've ensured quality and compliance while delivering value for money in previous roles.
