Head Of Service (Learning And Disability)

Connect2Dorset; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A joint venture employment agency is seeking an experienced Head of Service for the Adults with the Learning and Disability Team. This position involves providing strategic leadership and ensuring effective service delivery within legislative frameworks. Candidates should have a degree, social work diploma, and be HCPC Registered. The role includes driving service improvements and working collaboratively with partners in a hybrid work model in Dorchester.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing strategic leadership in social work services.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Training on safeguarding boards is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for social work services.
• Drive service improvements and shape strategic outcomes.
• Manage resources and oversee performance against key service priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational management

Social work practice

Budget management

Staff development

Education

Degree level education

Diploma in social work/CQSW

HCPC Registered

Job description

Overview

Connect2Dorset are looking for an experienced Head of Service within Adults with the Learning and Disability Team.

£650 per day (Inside IR35)

Hybrid (2 days in the office - Dorchester)

Contract: 3 to 6 months • 37 hours a week

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the effective delivery of statutory social work services, operating within national legislative frameworks, including the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014.
• Drive service improvements, shape strategic outcomes, and ensure the highest standards of practice to support vulnerable adults, children, young people, and their families.
• Strengthen partnerships, contribute to safeguarding boards, and advance early help and prevention strategies.
• Play a critical part in shaping council-wide policies, managing resources efficiently, and overseeing performance to achieve key service priorities.
• Provide expert guidance, lead workforce development, and ensure continuous improvement in social work practice.
• Deputise for senior leaders when required and influence strategic decision-making for the future direction of social care services.
• Promote and safeguard vulnerable adults and children.
• Provide leadership to several services/professionals in relation to their area of operational service delivery.
• Make professional decisions on complex matters within appropriate timescales.
• Have direct line management for allocated Operational managers.
• Promote, develop and plan services to ensure effective and efficient delivery meeting statutory requirements and potential regulatory/inspection needs.
• Collaborate with partners, communities, the voluntary sector and others as appropriate for strategic planning.
• Maintain clear governance for decision making on high-risk and complex case issues and escalate as appropriate.
• Be responsible for performance management and outcomes for an allocated portfolio of services.
• Prepare reports, work plans and service plans as required.
• Lead and/or participate in leadership and management meetings as required.
• Engage in budget and performance discussions with finance, performance and other support areas to ensure effective service delivery within resources.
• Be responsible for performance against key performance indicators in allocated areas.
• Manage delegated budgets in line with the authority's scheme of cost centre management and delegation.
• Manage early help and prevention resources as allocated.
• Ensure health and safety compliance in allocated service areas.
• Provide strategic leadership.
• Undertake any lesser or comparable duties as identified, recognising duties are not restrictive and may evolve.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree level education
• Diploma in social work/CQSW
• Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development
• HCPC Registered
• Safeguarding Board training

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates