Senior Leader, Therapy-Led Pathway to Independence

Walsall Council; Walsall; Hybrid; GBP 73,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Group Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across the Pathway to Independence services. You will lead therapy-led improvements, ensuring occupational therapy and social work practice contribute to prevention, enablement and independence.

You will develop a clear service vision, drive performance and cultivate a learning culture through Team Managers, with governance, data usage and budget management at the forefront.

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist registered with the HCPC.
• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Experience leading adult social care services.
• Experience in transforming therapy‑led services and service redesign.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Pathway to Independence portfolio.
• Lead the development and transformation of therapy-led services; ensure OT and SW practices contribute to prevention, enablement and independence.
• Develop a clear service vision and deliverable improvement plans with measurable outcomes.
• Lead Team Managers and foster a positive, learning-focused culture.
• Strengthen quality assurance, governance and performance management.
• Use evidence, data and feedback to drive improvements and redesign services.
• Manage demand, capacity, resources and delegated budgets.
• Ensure services meet statutory requirements and align with CQC expectations.
• Build partnerships across health, housing, and other agencies.
• Represent Adult Social Care in corporate and multi‑agency forums.
• Deputise for the Head of Service as required.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Performance management

Data-driven decision making

Stakeholder engagement

Education

HCPC registration (Occupational Therapist)

Social Work England registration

Job description

Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Group Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across the Pathway to Independence services. You will lead therapy-led improvements, ensuring occupational therapy and social work practice contribute to prevention, enablement and independence.

You will develop a clear service vision, drive performance and cultivate a learning culture through Team Managers, with governance, data usage and budget management at the forefront.