Senior Manager - Direct Payments

Surrey County Council; Reigate; Hybrid; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional local government authority in Reigate is seeking a Senior Operational Manager to lead the implementation of the Adult Social Care's Direct Payments strategy. This role is vital for promoting independence and control for service users, requiring a thorough understanding of social care practices. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in commissioning, and will enjoy hybrid working along with a competitive salary.

Benefits

26 days' holiday, rising with service

Generous local government pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development resources

Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent, ideally with a relevant social work or related healthcare qualification.
• Detailed knowledge of social care processes and responsibilities in line with strength-based practices.
• Experience of implementing systems that support high-quality service delivery.
• Substantial professional commissioning, contracting, and management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of Adult Social Care's Direct Payments offer.
• Work closely with senior leaders to embed a culture of Direct Payments.
• Ensure comprehensive staff training and support for Direct Payments.

Skills

Social care knowledge

Commissioning experience

System implementation

Leadership skills

Education

Undergraduate degree or equivalent

Job description

• Location: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate, RH2 8EF

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council.We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This role has a starting salary of £70,975 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

This is an 8-month fixed term / secondment opportunity

We are excited to be hiring a Senior Operational Manager to join our team who are embedding the Adult Social Care's Direct Payments offer, in accordance with our co-produced All-age Direct Payments Strategy, and as part of our transformation programme.

Working together with Commissioning in Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships (AWHP),the Direct Payments Team are based inWoodhatchin Reigate.You will need to travel across Surrey to embedthenew approachto Direct Payment across our workforce and in partnership with our providers.

Three highlights of working within the Direct Payments team are:

• We are committed to delivering the strategy through co-production, ensuring people shape the culture needed to ensure DPs increase people's independence, choice and control.
• We are a dynamic team, committed to continuous improvement by working in partnership across the sector and learning from the evidence-base and best practice.
• These are hybrid roles so are opportunities to achieve meaningful outcomes for people in a way that promotes a good balance of your personal and professional life.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Team

The Direct Payments Team is led by the Head of Commissioning (Disabilities) who reports to the Director of Integrated Commissioning in the AWHP Directorate.

The Disabilities Commissioning Team works to a vision whereby individuals can live 'gloriously ordinary lives', following their ambitions and aspirations.

Our work programmes are evidence based and innovative, allowing us to work in partnership with our colleagues across the Council, in the NHS and the community / voluntary sector.We are committed to ensuring individuals' insight and ambition shapes our plans through co-production as well as engagement.

About the Role

The Direct Payments Team lead on the development, management and improvement of the Council's Adult Social Care Direct Payments offer, delivering the Council's 5-year strategy published in November 2023.

You will work closely with area directors and senior leaders in AWHP to embed a culture where Direct Payments are part of how we do things. You will continue work already underway to ensure we have long-term leadership commitment, comprehensive staff training, an on-going shift towardsperson-centred practices, with streamlined processes and support. The goal is to normalise Direct Payments as a positive, primary option for care, not a last resort or a complicated alternative.

As a Senior Operational Manager, you will work to embed Direct Payment into the new front door/ area operating model and ensure Direct Payments are up-to-date and robust in readiness for LGR.

Shortlisting Criteria

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with ourbehaviours :

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent, ideally with a relevant social work, other associated health care, qualification or a relevant commissioning qualification.
• Detailed knowledge of social care processes and responsibilities in line with strength-based practices.
• Experience of putting in place systems that support high quality delivery of services.
• Substantial professional commissioning, contracting and management experience working in the context of public service delivery in the statutory or voluntary sector.

To apply, please submit your CV and answer to the following questions:

• Why are you applying for this role and what skills will you bring?
• Tell us about your experience of using Direct Payments as a positive, primary option for care?
• Describe how you will embed Direct Payments into the new front door/area operating model and ensure readiness for LGR?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & OurLife at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Anna Waterman by email or on MS Teams.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Wednesday 3rd December with interviews on Thursday 11th December.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.