Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care - REQ002459

Job title: Deputy Director – Social Work and Social Care Services
Salary: £112,369 - £123,394
Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37

Drive Change. Shape Lives. Lead Boldly.

This is a defining moment for Leeds as we recruit to a transformative leadership role in our Adults & Health Directorate. We’re looking for a leader with the energy, ambition, and vision to help shape the future of adult social care in one of the UK’s most dynamic and diverse cities.

Leeds has a strong track record of strengths-based, community-led practice, and nationally recognised partnerships with care, health, and the voluntary sector – exemplified by our innovative Home First Programme. At the same time, we also face significant challenges, including a growing complexity of care needs and operating against the backdrop of a national funding crisis.

This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for driving the development and delivery of social work, occupational therapy, and social care services across Leeds. We’re seeking someone who can lead with pace and clarity, especially as we enter a crucial phase of recommissioning intermediate care services. Reporting to the Director Adults and Health (DASS), you’ll also play a key role in driving innovation in early support and accelerating progress on digital and tech-enabled care to improve outcomes and modernise service delivery.

As a qualified social worker, you’ll bring a deep understanding of adult social care, both operationally and strategically. We’re looking for a dynamic, proactive leader with the energy and vision to drive transformation and bring fresh ideas. As part of a council with strong regional and national ADASS links, you’ll also have the chance to influence policy and grow your leadership profile.

Leeds City Council is a great place to work – we are a supportive employer with a stable political base and committed members, who value their staff and encourage creativity. We need bold leaders who can turn pressure into progress. You’ll be joining a forward-thinking leadership team, with a real appetite for innovation, inclusion and improvement. This is your chance to shape the future of adult social care in a city that truly values it.

If you want to make a real impact at scale, join us and be the change Leeds needs.

To apply or find out more, contact our retained consultants at Tile Hill: Chris Barrow on 07437 839048 or Anita Denton on 07725 554802, or visit here

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 21st September

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

With an emphasis on strong leadership, this role operates within the city’s ambition and the broader strategic objectives. To lead and manage the council’s operational response to the strengths, needs and aspirations of the diverse needs of people with care and support needs, and adults in need of protection in line with Care Act 2014 including the delivery of social work and social care services.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, providing advice and expertise to decision makers across the Council.

Work with key partners at national, regional and local level and in collaboration with colleagues and partners support the delivery of real change across the city.
To define, improve and assure professional standards across the key professional groups and registered service provision including safeguarding processes, Care Act, Deprivation of Liberty Standards and Mental Capacity and Mental Health Act delivery.
To be responsible for the Council’s safeguarding adults response including effective risk management, working in partnership with others.
To manage and support the Principal Social Worker to operate in an environment within which there is a challenge to practice and a focus on continual improvement.
Responsible for leading, setting and embedding professional standards across all professional groups including delivery of the practice framework, quality assurance and audit systems, supervision frameworks and continual professional development and contribute to the delivery of a reflective and learning organisation.
To lead and manage the development and delivery of social work, occupational therapy and social care services to support continuous improvement and ensure that people are at the heart of planning and delivery, including ensuring that the voice of people is heard and acted on at all levels.
To lead and work with others, ensuring that there is a commitment to inclusive leadership, with the aim of delivering equitable services to our diverse populations.
To be responsible for ensuring that the work of the directorate complies with all relevant legislation and statutory guidance including but not limited to the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007) and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
To ensure that the requirements of relevant statutory obligations and guidance on adult social care are identified and implemented including the sufficiency of appropriate and up to date staff training within the directorate and across the council.
To operate within the council’s policy, legal and financial frameworks in line with the Scheme of Delegation at all times.
To work with a range of partners across the city at a strategic level, demonstrating leadership and contributing to the effectiveness of a range of areas of work including the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board, System Flow and Hospital Discharge, the delivery of integrated services including those that sit within the Alliance with Leeds Community Healthcare Foundation Trust.

Take responsibility for maintaining effective communications and engagement with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders and which supports open, inclusive, responsive and accountable government.

Lead, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome.

Work with elected members, service users and community representatives in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government providing appropriate advice relating to the work of the Directorate to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.

In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework Ensure that effective budget management and control takes place across your service, the planned level and quality of service provided for within the revenue and capital budgets are delivered and that budget pressures are resolved.

Responsibility for the direction and control of a significant budget, the financial integrity of the service and accountable for directing and implementing comprehensive risk management programmes and resources across the service(s).

The service is delivered within budget; value for money is maximised, and operational, regulatory, statutory and financial risk is managed and monitored in compliance with council requirements and with Local Government and national working practices.
To be a member of the Directorate Leadership Team and take responsibility for a significant number of operational, strategic and policy areas as agreed both within the service, council and wider system.
To take responsibility for ensuring that the service has a comprehensive and relevant performance management framework that is owned and delivered consistently across the service.
To keep services under review and propose changes to structure, procedures and working methods that will ensure the efficient and effective use of resources, equitable outcomes for the diverse communities of Leeds.
To represent the service at senior decision-making meetings within the council, within the system and regionally as required by the DASS.
To work closely with the Deputy Director Integrated Commissioning to ensure the development of services meets the assessed needs of the population.
Lead and manage the Directorate’s response to emergency planning including chairing the Directorate Resilience Group

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.

Qualifications A professional qualification in social work (degree level) or substantial experience in working in this field together with substantial senior leadership and management experience.

Working Context- Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the city and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current local, regional and national issues and the legislative and political context relating to Adult Social Care and related Health activities
Significant experience of delivering complex and significant services in a similar setting and within a professional and political context
Significant experience of working within a performance led environment with evidenced ability to lead and manage within this context and experience of delivering improvements to service delivery

Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection

Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team.

Evidence of working with partners and key stakeholders and of forging and driving successful partnership programmes to deliver cross sector priorities and outcomes with a specific focus on system flow and maintaining relationships with key partners in the wider health and care economy.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships.

Experience of successful leadership and management of large-scale complex change programmes with an understanding of the strategic issues that face integrated work.

Evidence of ability to make reasoned and logical decisions allied with high level organisational skills.

Significant successful senior leadership experience

Substantial experience of operating in a political environment including the identification and management or mitigation of risks

Extensive experience of exercising sound judgement and providing clear evidenced advice at senior level.

Experience of developing and implementing highly complex strategies leading to successful outcomes

Behavioural & other Characteristics required.

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.

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