Head of Service Professions, Access and Quality Assurance

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Overview

Job title: Head of Service – Professions, Access and Quality Assurance

Salary: £79,939 - £87,722

Contract: Permanent

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. We face challenges including a growing complexity of care needs and operating against the backdrop of a national funding crisis.

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Social Work and Social Care Services, this key leadership role acts as the Principal Social Worker (PSW) for Adults and Health. You’ll be responsible for embedding quality assurance mechanisms, developing policies and procedures, and ensuring strong professional practice across the service. A top priority will be driving service transformation through technology adoption, supporting staff development, and leading any actions in response to findings from our recent CQC inspection to improve service quality.

We’re looking for a qualified social worker with a strong social work background and experience in quality assurance, CQC preparation, and professional leadership. You’ll be a supportive, proactive leader focused on embedding a robust QA framework and empowering staff to deliver outstanding care.

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

Job Description

Job purpose: To take leadership responsibility for a specific service area, to undertake the role of Principal Social Worker for Leeds Adults and Health and support the Deputy Director, Social Work and Social Care Services to deliver the Better Lives Strategy and Adult Social Care Plan and other programmes of strategic significance to the Council in line with Council & Directorate priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and be responsible for implementing the service plan and drive continuous improvement initiatives through cross-Council projects, collaborative working with partners and supporting Directorate management teams.
• Support the delivery of programmes of strategic significance to the Council in order to deliver services in line with Council & Directorate priorities.
• Leadership and management of Social Work and Care Teams including performance management and related system activity, effective budget management and delivery of savings programmes with specific reference to early intervention and reviewing.
• Undertake the role of Principal Social Worker (PSW) for Leeds Adults and Health reporting to the Deputy Director and the Director of Adults and Health and provide professional development support to the Lead Occupational Therapist.
• Lead on embedding quality assurance mechanisms using social work professional frameworks and the Leeds Adult Social Care Strengths and Asset Based Practice Framework, bringing creativity and an innovative approach to continual service development.
• Develop policy and procedures that enable the delivery of safe and effective services, in line with CQC registration requirements and in line with Adults and Health quality assurance framework, including safeguarding.
• Drive a programme that delivers the Council’s ambitions for good quality services in line with the Adult Social Care Plan, the Better Lives Strategy and the wider Health and Wellbeing Strategy, in terms of time, budget, quality and quantity, and that fits with the Council’s wider strategic goals and values.
• Manage, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, focusing on equality of outcome.
• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for developing appropriate, proportionate and effective financial solutions across the service.
• Manage substantial budgets within the assigned service area through effective delegation and shared decision making, ensuring sound financial scenario planning and a cost-conscious approach to the development of business cases to support service transformation.
• You have a thorough understanding of the issues facing the Council within its economic, business, cultural and political environment. Plans are in place to ensure an efficient and sustainable use of resources, employees are effectively employed and budgets are maximised.
• The duties outlined are not exhaustive 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 equivalent substantial knowledge gained through significant managerial experience across the service area.

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. The hours are mainly Monday to Friday; the post holder may be required to work outside normal hours, including evenings and weekends if needed to meet service requirements.

Essential requirements

• Able to build confidence with senior officers, elected members and partners, ensuring they are appropriately briefed and involved in relation to service issues, with information available to senior internal stakeholders.
• Evidence of effective service delivery through governance, project, budget and risk management.
• Able to demonstrate examples of managing services, implementing change and achieving quality transformational outcomes in a related service area.
• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Knowledge of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience with politically sensitive issues.
• Substantial senior leadership and management experience relevant to the area of service delivery.
• Experience of working with senior management to shape and influence the delivery of strategic priorities at a City, Directorate and Service level, ensuring people issues are central.
• Experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Evidence of significant engagement with citizens, customers and stakeholders in decision making processes.
• Significant experience developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team.

Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and code of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement and delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Committed to developing the ability to use digital tools and technology at the government’s Essential digital skills framework level.
• Comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Promote equality and anti-discriminatory practices; uphold the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
• Challenge instances of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and abuse, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Lead a positive Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Fire culture, ensuring statutory compliance and effective risk management through council policies and proactive leadership.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Quality Assurance

Industries

• Government Administration