Head of Service - Care & Support (Social Care)

Outward; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care services provider in London is seeking an experienced Head of Service, Care & Support to lead the operational delivery and growth of high-quality services. The role requires strong leadership, knowledge of care regulations, and excellent communication skills. The candidate will ensure compliance with quality standards and manage financial performance, making a real difference in the lives of individuals with support needs. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days Annual Leave

Comprehensive Learning & Development Programme

Cycle-to-Work Scheme

Death in Service Benefit

Health Assured – Employee Assistance Programme

Eye care Vouchers

Flu Jab Reimbursement

Pension Scheme

Purchase Additional Annual Leave

Refer-a-Friend Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing high-quality services for vulnerable people.
• Strong leadership skills, with a track record of successful change management.
• Exceptional communication skills, including report writing.
• Demonstrable financial management skills, incl. budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of high-quality services.
• Oversee budgets ensuring sound financial performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Monitor quality and compliance, addressing issues proactively.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Financial management

Knowledge of care regulations

Change management

Education

Professional qualifications in care or management

Post-graduate degree in Social Care or related field

Job description

About Outward

For almost 50 years, Outward has been a leading provider of high-quality support and care services to people with support needs in London. We are committed to empowering the people we support to live fulfilling lives and make positive choices. At the heart of everything we do are our core values: engaging, enabling, and empowering.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Service, Care & Support to join our senior management team. This new pivotal role involves leading the operational delivery and growth of our Care & Support services, ensuring they are innovative, flexible, and of the highest quality.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of Care and Support to implement strategic objectives, manage stakeholder relationships, and oversee compliance with internal and external quality standards. You will also lead on organisational change, financial performance, and the development of services to meet the needs of the people we support.

If you are passionate about transforming lives of people with a leaning disability or autism and have a proven track record in managing care services, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a real difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of high-quality services across Care & Support.
• Oversee budgets, ensuring sound financial performance and value for money.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners and other stakeholders.
• Develop and manage teams, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Monitor quality and compliance, addressing any issues proactively.
• Provide effective line management to Area Managers and other senior staff.
• Support organisational growth by identifying and delivering new business opportunities.

Full JD is available on request.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications, so apply early!

Diversity and Safeguarding at Outward

Outward applies its Equal Opportunities Policy at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection is carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age or trade union membership. Those with disabilities meeting the minimum requirements for the post will be shortlisted and reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure they are not disadvantaged during the interview process.

As an employer, who aspire to become Disability Confident Committed, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. Please indicate clearly at the beginning of your supporting statement if you have a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010), and you wish to be considered for an Offer Of an Interview (OOI) Pleasenote that the OOI is available to disabled candidatesonly. Regrettably, any false declaration of disability in order to secure aninterview will impact on your overall application.

Outward is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. If the post you apply for involves working with or having access to adults at risk and/or their records, we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Services for successful candidates. This will be fully subsided by Outward.

Essential (E):

• Ability to commute to the Outward office (N17) five days a week, if required.
• Proven experience managing high-quality services for vulnerable people.
• Extensive knowledge of care regulations, funding mechanisms, and legal frameworks.
• Strong leadership skills, with a track record of successful change management.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including report writing.
• Demonstrable financial management skills, including budgeting and service pricing.
• Staff must have access to a smartphone capable of receiving SMS messages and installing authentication apps for secure systems access
• Right to Work in the UK. Please note: Outward will not provide visa sponsorship

Desirable (D):

• Professional qualifications in care, management, or a related field.
• Post-graduate degree or diploma in a related field, such as Social Care, Leadership, or Healthcare Management.
• Registration with a professional body in a relevant discipline (e.g., social work, healthcare).
• Experience in co-production, involving people supported and their families in designing and delivering services.
• Ability to secure grant funding or develop successful proposals for projects.
• Knowledge of trends and innovations in the care sector, including digital transformation initiatives.
• Ability to develop and execute strategies to address gaps in service provision.
• A sharp commercial focus with the ability to balance financial sustainability and quality care.

We value everything our staff do for the people we support, so we provide a great benefits package:

• 25 days Annual Leave excluding Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Comprehensive Learning & Development Programme
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme
• Death in Service Benefit
• Health Assured – Employee Assistance Programme
• Eye care Vouchers
• Flu Jab Reimbursement
• Pension Scheme
• Purchase Additional Annual Leave
• Refer-a-Friend Scheme