Head of Service Adult Social Care

Head of Service Adult Social Care

Full-Time 60000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Tile Hill Executive Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformational change in Adult Social Care and oversee high-quality service delivery.
  • Company: Join Barnsley Council, an award-winning organisation making a real difference in the community.
  • Benefits: Be part of a thriving team with excellent career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a positive impact on vulnerable adults and their families while leading a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in Adult Social Care and strong knowledge of safeguarding practices.
  • Other info: Collaborate with health partners and contribute to innovative service improvements.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.

Now is the time to come and work for Barnsley Council Adult Services and be part of the transformational change we are making. We are seeking to appoint an exceptional and experienced Head of Service to support our new Neighbourhood Operating Model within Adult Social Care that will oversee the safe and effective delivery of care and support alongside having an extensive proven track record of managing Mental Health, DOLS & Learning Disability Services.

As the responsible Head of Service, you will have excellent leadership skills, bringing an ability to balance strategic priorities and operational workload. You will maintain high-quality services whilst managing the overall performance of service delivery. This role also has an important external element drawing on your proven skills working with partners across the system. This will draw on your communication skills, stakeholder management and commitment to relationship-based practice.

The postholder will support the Service Director to deliver statutory obligations and deliver high quality, safe and effective operational services. The postholder will be responsible for the operational management of an agreed portfolio of services which will also include Mental Health, DOLS, Emergency duty team & Learning Disabilities, ensuring the effective and efficient use of allocated resources to provide a service organised around the needs of Barnsley residents and our local communities.

You will be committed to delivering high performing, high quality services understanding how to motivate your services and providing containment at busy times. You will be passionate about making a difference to our most vulnerable adults, their families, and networks, using this to lead and motivate your teams. This is a senior leadership role and the postholder will be required to work in collaboration with the Adult Social Care senior leadership team, Health partners and the wider Council.

With a proven track record of effective leadership evidence of strong performance and high-quality governance, workforce planning, emergency planning and on-going business development. The postholder will promote a culture of innovation, involvement and quality improvement. Reporting to the Service Director and working closely with senior managers and operational leaders, you will provide strategic and operational leadership alongside the ability to deliver transformation, embed change and work within financial constraints.

Key responsibilities
  • Set and monitor practice standards across ASC; leading and implementing learnings from the Quality Assurance Framework, thematic audits and learning loops.
  • Provide expert safeguarding leadership; strengthen governance, performance, and MSP outcomes.
  • Ensure robust DoLS processes and MCA practice, working closely with legal and partners.
  • Inspirational, visible, and credible leadership capabilities.
  • Contribute to transformation programmes and workforce strategy with directorate, aligning improvements to the Adult Social Care Strategy and the Council 2040 Plan.
  • Lead professional development via the Principal Social Worker, champion supervision, reflective practice, ASYE / Practice Education expectations.
What you’ll bring
  • Leadership experience in Adult Social Care safeguarding / quality with clear impact on practice and outcomes.
  • Deep knowledge of the Care Act, MCA/DoLS, and safeguarding statutory guidance, with confidence to lead complex risk management.
  • Strong audit, governance, and improvement skills; ability to turn insights into coaching, standards and measurable change.
  • Collaborative, values‑driven leadership able to inspire professional communities and build effective multi‑agency partnerships.

You would be joining a double award-winning, high-performing Council with a growing economy, a thriving town centre and some truly impressive outcomes in our communities. We were awarded Council of the Year for 2023 by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) and The Municipal Journal (MJ). Our excellent Adult Services has been a key part of our win; we’re so proud of what we’ve achieved not just for the council but for our partners and Barnsley.

It’s the perfect time to join and be part of our excellent team.

Head of Service Adult Social Care employer: Tile Hill Executive Recruitment

Barnsley Council Adult Services is an exceptional employer, recognised for its commitment to high-quality care and transformative practices within the community. With a double award-winning status and a thriving work culture, employees benefit from strong leadership, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative environment that prioritises innovation and quality improvement. Joining our team means being part of a dedicated workforce that is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable adults and their families in Barnsley.
Tile Hill Executive Recruitment

Contact Detail:

Tile Hill Executive Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Service Adult Social Care

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Adult Social Care sector. Attend local events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to key players. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research Barnsley Council’s recent initiatives and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise answering common leadership questions and be ready to showcase your passion for making a difference in the community.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you’ve motivated teams and improved service delivery. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you’ve built effective partnerships in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Barnsley Council and being part of their transformational change.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service Adult Social Care

Leadership Skills
Strategic Planning
Operational Management
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Safeguarding Knowledge
Quality Assurance
Governance Skills
Risk Management
Collaboration
Multi-Agency Partnership Building
Change Management
Workforce Planning
Coaching and Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of Service in Adult Social Care. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your background fits into our transformational change!

Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to detail your experience and how it meets the key criteria outlined in the job description. Be specific and use examples to demonstrate your impact in previous roles – we love a good story!

Keep It Concise: Remember, we’re looking for clarity and conciseness. Stick to the three sides of A4 limit for both your CV and supporting statement. This shows us you can communicate effectively and respect guidelines – both are crucial in this role!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your documents and ensures everything is in one place. Plus, if you run into any issues, we’re just an email away to help you out!

How to prepare for a job interview at Tile Hill Executive Recruitment

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Care Act, MCA/DoLS, and safeguarding statutory guidance. Brush up on your knowledge of the Neighbourhood Operating Model and how it applies to Adult Social Care. This will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also genuinely interested in making a difference.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing Mental Health and Learning Disability Services. Think about times when you've inspired teams or improved service delivery. Be ready to discuss how you can motivate others and maintain high-quality services under pressure.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since this role involves working with various partners, be prepared to talk about your experience in stakeholder management. Share specific examples of how you've built effective multi-agency partnerships and how you plan to continue fostering these relationships in your new role.

✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Improvement

Talk about your approach to quality improvement and how you've implemented changes based on audits or feedback. Highlight any transformation programmes you've led or contributed to, and be ready to discuss how you would align improvements with the Adult Social Care Strategy and the Council 2040 Plan.

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