Head of Service

3-month contract role with a local authority Summary This is a 3-month contract role with a local authority, focused on leading the development and maintenance of high professional standards in Adult Social Care. The postholder will ensure services are safe, effective, person-centred, and compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements.

This role is crucial for driving continuous improvement, supporting Care Quality Commission (CQC) assurance readiness, championing workforce wellbeing, and leading initiatives to improve outcomes for residents.

Responsibilities

Provide professional and strategic leadership for Adult Social Care services, promoting excellence in social work practice. Lead the development and delivery of improvement, assurance, and transformation programmes aligned with organisational priorities. Ensure compliance with statutory duties, legislative requirements, and professional standards.

Drive a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and learning across services. Lead and oversee quality assurance frameworks, audit programmes, and service improvement initiatives. Ensure the organisation is prepared for and responsive to CQC assurance requirements. Monitor service performance and quality indicators to identify risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.

Implement robust governance arrangements that promote accountability and high-quality outcomes.

Requirements

Essential Experience Required Significant senior leadership experience within Adult Social Care. Extensive experience leading quality assurance, improvement, and service transformation programmes. Demonstrable experience in workforce development, recruitment, retention, and organisational change initiatives. Experience of leading services through regulatory inspection and assurance processes, including CQC readiness.

Essential Qualifications Required Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration (where applicable). Recognised Social Work qualification (Degree, Diploma, CQSW, CSS, or equivalent). Relevant management or leadership qualification or equivalent experience. Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Additional Information Working hours: 37 hours per week. Pay Rate: £59.72 Umbrella. Duration: 3 Months Interim. Hybrid Arrangements: Hybrid - 3 office days (Civic Centre) per week. DBS Required: Enhanced DBS with Adults & Children's Barred List. Schedule: Bi-weekly. The role closes soon, apply ASAP.