Head of Service

An opportunity has arisen in our Integrated Disability Service (IDS) Team for a Head of Service to oversee the social care component of the service. Our IDS service comprises two teams of social workers who carry out all statutory social work functions for people with complex needs relating to learning disability. As the Head of Service, you will oversee the principal managers to manage these teams, providing operational and social work practice advice. You will also have responsibility for managing the social care and staffing budget, as well as the performance of your service. The Head of Service role also plays a key role in the Local Authority management structure, and you will need to lead on development and improvement work in the service. It is therefore essential that you have experience of leading on change and development. You will also work closely with your health colleagues who are co-located with your service and be expected to work closely in partnership to improve outcomes
for the people we support and their carers.

The role is offered on a secondment basis for twelve months.

In return, CWP offers a full range of benefits including access to leadership and other specialist training. Through our close links with the Local Authority, we also provide bespoke training on a wide range of statutory issues.

This role will involve remote/hybrid working, however there will be a requirement to work from the office on certain days., As Head of Service you will need to ensure that all work carried out by social work staff is compliant with statutory guidance and good practice. You will need to authorise support plans ensuring that the person's outcomes are being met and the service provides value for money for commissioners. You will need to have an excellent knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and be able to support and direct staff with their practice, alongside our legal colleagues. Experience of attending court would be helpful with regard to supporting the practice of others. The role also includes developing and implementing new ways of working to improve outcomes for people,

You will also be responsible for managing you staffing budget and team performance metrics ensuring that supervision, appraisal and training of all of your staff is up to date. The Head of Service post has close links to our Local Authority commissioner's senior leadership team and you will be expected to contribute to these meetings and to also play a key role in all internal governance structures including contract meetings.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.

We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.