Job info |
Job info details |
Job title |
Director of Adults & Community Services |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Adults and Community Services |
Responsible to (day to day issues) |
Chief Executive |
Accountable to (line manager) |
Chief Executive |
Salary grade |
HAY608 |
JE ref |
HAY02 |
1. Key purpose of job
- To provide strategic leadership and management across the Adults and Community Services Directorate, leading on the Council’s aspirations for its most vulnerable residents.
- To provide strategic leadership to ensure that Adult Social Care and statutory community services positively support the values and objectives of Torbay Council, promoting prevention, early intervention and resilience to improve outcomes for local people, promote health, wellbeing and independence and reduce dependency on public services.
- To lead the development of service strategies and best practice in commissioning, and building on synergies across the directorate, with Public Health, Housing and the NHS to improve health, wellbeing and independence for local people.
- To be responsible for the safe and effective delivery of integrated Adult Social Care and NHS provision.
- To fulfil the role of statutory Director of Adults Social Services of the Council, in accordance with the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 Section 7 and the Care Act 2014, ensuring robust arrangements for the commissioning of the Council’s Adult Social Care responsibilities are effective and comply with all relevant legal, professional and regulatory standards.
- As a Member of the Directors Group and Senior Leadership Team this role takes collective and shared responsibility for the effective leadership and corporate management of the Council’s services and delivery of improved outcomes.
- To positively promote and represent the Council, supporting the Chief Executive and other senior leaders to manage the Council – driving performance, effectiveness, and efficiency.
2. Anticipated outcomes of post
- The provision of expert and well-evidenced and sound advice directly to the Chief Executive, Corporate Directors, Cabinet, Portfolio Holders and other Members of the Council. Attend Council, Executive and other committees and events as required.
- The provision of good quality statutory community services. These are housing services, community safety, anti-social behaviour, homelessness and rough sleeping, licensing, environmental health and customer services.
- Build strong and meaningful relationship with the community, voluntary, charity and faith sections, to ensure our residents receive the effective support and care they need in their homes and communities.
- To ensure that through both direct and commissioned delivery and improvement of preventative services, early intervention and cultural change, residents of Torbay will have choice and control over services, inequalities are tackled and access to services is improved, whilst ensuring that those with the highest levels of need are supported.
- To identify opportunities to deliver the Council’s strategic agenda and find means of realising the full value of those opportunities through direct action, securing the necessary resources, adapting policy, commissioning, and community and partner action.
- To play a lead role, with the Chief Executive, in ensuring that the Council is an active partner in the South west and will be engaged in all initiatives and opportunities that emerge from regional and national collaboration.
- To support the continued improvement of our cultural aspirations, role modelling and embedding our values, driving engagement and innovation, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
- To ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Council’s Adult and Community Services Directorate.
3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post
Leadership
- To lead, inspire and transform Adult Social Care and Community Services into consistently high performing, strengths-based services which have continuous improvement at their core.
- As a member of the council’s leadership team, to contribute proactively to the collective leadership for the council, working collaboratively with Members, services across the council, partners and stakeholders to deliver the council’s objectives and priorities. To drive positive cultural change, embodying and promoting the values and behaviours of the council and empowering staff to reach their full potential. Ensure that the performance and development framework is effective for all staff.
- To contribute towards the corporate management and leadership of the Council as a member of the Directors and Senior Leadership Team, actively understanding the challenges and proactively and effectively support colleagues in ensuring policy objectives are achieved and services planned, commissioned and delivered in an effective and efficient way.
- To ensure delivery of the Council’s budget priorities and the effective use of the Council’s resources.
- To act as lead Director on corporate areas of activity, policy and organisational development as required.
- Contribute to a high performance culture by providing strong and motivational leadership to drive continuous improvement and efficiency savings.
- To develop a culture of collaborative working relationships with partners and communities to ensure the effective delivery of services and management of resources.
Strategic
- Lead conceptualisation and delivery of the strategic vision as it relates to the future of Torbay, creating and delivering strategic and effective programmes to drive progress, both within the Directorate and cross council.
- Ensure partnerships are created, developed and maintained across Torbay, regionally and nationally in order to generate opportunities for the benefit of our residents.
- Build a cohesive management team and Directorate that supports and delivers the Council’s Community and Corporate Plan Service.
- Provide clear leadership and management direction to achieve the efficient and effective operational delivery within services in the Directorate – including;
- Ultimate accountability for the commissioning arrangements with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust,
- Customer Service functions,
- Statutory Community Service functions including Environmental Health, Licensing, Housing, Anti-Social Behaviour and Homelessness.
- Responsible for the Statutory functions of Director of Adults Services, summarised as:
- Accountability for assessing local needs and ensuring availability and delivery of a full range of adult social care services.
- Professional leadership, including workforce planning.
- Leading the implementation of standards.
- Managing cultural change.
- Promoting local assess and partnership working.
- Delivering an integrated approach to supporting communities.
- Promoting social inclusion and wellbeing.
- Provide guidance and support to Elected Members to help them translate their political priorities into initiatives that deliver the intended outcomes for residents.
- Develop comprehensive service plans for each area that will underpin and support the achievement of the Community and Corporate Plan, with appropriate governance procedures, clear objectives and performance monitoring.
- Deliver excellent client, management and contract oversight of all external service providers, ensuring delivery standards are met.
- Actively engaging with all parts of the community – individuals, community groups, businesses, and public sector partners in ensuring the delivery of services in the Directorate.
- As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Leads for Safeguarding are the Chief Executive, Director of Children’s Services and Director of Adults and Community Services.
4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post
- Oversight of the approved Adult Services revenue budget (circa £60m).
- Oversight of the capital budget for protecting and supporting vulnerable adults (circa £20m).
5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post
Direct reports:
- Divisional Director – Community and Customer Services.
- Divisional Director – Adult Social Care.
Supervisory reports:
6. Working environment and conditions of the post
- Office based with flexibility for homeworking on a hybrid basis.
- Occasional weekend and evening work is required.
7. Physical demands of the post
8. Specific resources used by the post
- Laptop, Mobile Phone, iPad or similar.
9. Key contacts and relationships
External
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Devon ICB, Central Government, other Local Authorities, other public sector organisations, private and voluntary organisations and employers, community and voluntary sector.
Internal
- Chief Executive / Senior Leadership Team, Leader of the Council and Executive Members, senior staff across the Council, Trades Unions, employees at all levels across the Council.
10. Other duties
- To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
Other Information
- All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
- Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
- The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- This post is office based at Tor Hill House but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
- The post is eligible for hybrid working.
- You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
- The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
- The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
- The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
- The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
- If this post is a customer facing role and meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
- If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
- If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
Person Specification
Note for Candidate
All Candidates
The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.
In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.
Candidates who consider that they have a disability
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.
Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.
If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.
Job info |
Job info details |
Job Title |
Director of Adults & Community Services |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Adults and Community Services |
Skills and effectiveness
Essential skills and effectiveness
- Significant ability to build consensus, persuade, negotiate and influence the successful delivery of services through a partnership, without direct line management or control of resources.
- Excellent leadership skills, able to provide clarity to teams on the vision and purpose of their work.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret and deploy complex data and translate complex information. Ability to use these skills to manage high level risk.
- Strong track record of building and nurturing productive working relationships, able to influence at the most senior levels both inside and outside the Council.
- Ability to provide insight and strategic understanding around the current and future landscape that aids understanding across the organisation.
- Highly effective communication skills, able to influence others with impact and professional credibility.
- Ability to work with and manage demands of elected members and their priorities.
- Ability to deliver creative and innovative solutions to improve the use of resources and achieve value for money across the Council.
- Commercially aware, with an understanding of how to maximise opportunities for growth and investment.
- Experience of managing and improving processes and frameworks within a complex work environment.
- Experience of building high performing teams and providing inspirational leadership to the wider organisation that drives a high performance culture.
- As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
- To innovate, design and implement.
- Ability to make balanced judgements between competing objectives and priorities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to use effectively a number of different leadership styles.
- Ability to handle conflict and manage sensitive issues to achieve positive outcomes.
- Ability to create an environment of trust, fairness and openness.
- Ability to develop purposeful partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders.
- Significant involvement in preparing, managing and controlling substantial budgets.
- Proven contract management experience for a range of services.
- As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Desirable skills and effectiveness
N/A
Knowledge
Essential knowledge
- Detailed and significant knowledge and understanding of the current legislation relating to Adult Social Care.
- Demonstrable and significant knowledge and understanding of local government Commissioning arrangements.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of the current Local Government landscape and the challenges facing Local Authorities.
- Detailed knowledge of national and current policy in adult social care, including an understanding of the key lobby groups and their thinking.
Desirable knowledge
- Understanding of NHS working arrangements including the commissioning of health provision and the principles and purpose of Integrated Care Boards.
- Strategic understanding of the wider social and economic environment within Torbay.
Experience and achievements
Essential experience and achievements
- In depth experience at a senior management level of successfully managing a range of commissioned services, including social care.
- A substantial track record of success at senior management level, of transformational change in a comparable, accountable and customer facing organisation through partnership working with the public, voluntary and private sector organisations.
- A record of achieving successful outcomes in a political environment, providing clear, balanced advice and guidance on strategic and operational issues.
- Demonstrable success in performance management, organisational change and project management.
- Demonstrable experience of joint work with the NHS.
- A successful record of leading, motivating and managing a team of senior staff, to achieve continuous improvement.
- Highly motivated senior leader, able to act as a role model to team members and peers.
- An inspiring leader, able to engage team members to deliver exceptional performance in a challenging environment.
- An inspiring leader, able to engage partners and communities for the benefit of the Council.
- Adaptable and flexible to meet a variety of challenges.
- Innovative, change champion, who is happy to challenge the status quo.
- A passionate role model of the values of the Council.
Desirable experience and achievements
N/A
Qualifications/professional memberships
Essential qualifications/professional memberships
- A relevant qualification to degree level (or equivalent).
- A demonstrable commitment to continued personal and professional development.
Desirable qualifications/professional memberships
- Project Management.
- Professional Management qualification.
Other requirements
Other requirements of the job role
- Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults, and children and young people.
- Demonstrates a commitment to co-production, empowerment and personalisation in Adult social care.
- Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
- Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
- Ability to accommodate on-call working.
- Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.