Adult Social Care Service Manager

Hertfordshire County Council; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a Service Manager to lead and manage adult social care services across locality teams. You will ensure high-quality, person-centred care in alignment with the organization's Connected Lives principles. The role involves overseeing operational performance, fostering collaboration, and driving service development. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in management, strong leadership skills, and a background in social care-related qualifications. Hybrid working options available.

Benefits

Flexible working practices

Continuous Learning & Development

Community engagement activities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in managing adult social care services.
• Ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams.
• Knowledge of statutory responsibilities in social care.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of operational managers.
• Drive service development and workforce planning.
• Monitor budgets and manage improvement targets.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Team management

Understanding of Care Act duties

Risk management

Education

Registered Social Worker, Nurse, or Occupational Therapist

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for aService Managerwithin the South and West Hertfordshire Older People and Sensory Services (SWHOPSS). This service includes seven locality teams, countywide Sensory Services, and two integrated operational and health teams.

AsService Manager, you will lead and manage adult social care services across locality teams, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care aligned with Hertfordshire County CouncilsConnected Livesprinciples. You will oversee operational performance, statutory compliance, and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and innovation.

Main duties of the job

This is a senior leadership position with both operational and strategic responsibilities. You will:

• Provide professional leadership and oversight of operational managers, ensuring consistency and excellence in practice and performance.
• Drive service development, workforce planning, and training in collaboration with Learning and Development teams.
• ChampionEquity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusionand co-production in all aspects of service delivery.
• Offer expert guidance on complex safeguarding and case management, ensuring statutory duties underCare Act 2014are met.
• Monitor budgets, manage improvement targets, and lead on complaints investigations and learning reviews.
• Develop strong partnerships with agencies such as the NHS, police, and housing providers to deliver integrated services.
• Contribute to policy development and embed operational pathways that reflect legislative and best practice changes.

About us

It is an inspiring time to be working in Hertfordshire. We are giving back control to people by talking through ways to achieve personal goals, get involved in the community and be as independent as possible. We are committed to deliver a better adult social care experience through a responsive and person-centred approach, focussing on people and carers outcomes they wish to achieve.

We are re-energising our adult social care model ofConnected Livesapproachthat has a strong ethos of strength-based working, identifying personal goals and ensuring personal, family and community resources are utilised to achieve positive outcomes for people.

The Older Person Service is a dynamic service that works across the community under the Care Act to safeguard, assess, plan support and review adults and cares with long term health and social care needs. We have a range of teams within Older People services, including locality based teams, both residential and community reviewing teams, crisis intervention and prevention of hospital admission teams, and sensory services. We can offer Hybrid working arrangements, flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, as well as promote your continuous Learning & Development.

Job responsibilities

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced professional with a passion for adult social care and a commitment to making a positive impact. You will have:

• Extensive experience in managing social care services, preferably within adult social care.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• A thorough understanding of statutory responsibilities and best practice in social care.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with stakeholders, including individuals, families, staff, and partners.
• Experience of working collaborative with system and health partners.

Person Specification

Experience

• Working with system partners, such as health colleagues
• Experience of supervising, managing and leading diverse team
• Performance management, recruitment, and workforce development
• Understanding of statutory responsibilities, safeguarding, Care Act duties, and CQC requirements
• Risk management and ensuring all services are safe, responsive, and effective.
• Ability to evaluate service quality through audits, inspections, and performance reviews.
• Managing service budgets, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring efficient use of resources

Qualifications

• Registered Social Worker (or Nurse/Occupational Therapist).