Contract: Permanent 
Salary: HC13 £67,734 to £72,738 ( £6000 Market Forces Supplement is additionally applied to this post)
Hours: 37
Location: Hereford
Closing Date: 26/11/2023

The Role

As Head of Service for County wide services you will be accountable for the overall achievement of the relevant service, meeting all set objectives by designing, developing and implementing a wide range of policies and plans and approving a significant range of formulated policies and business strategies in the relevant service.

This is an established post with established teams and managers who manage and drive their teams. You will lead and be accountable for the large scale complex whole service area and responsible for a group managers and all staff within your assigned services. You will ensure that Herefordshire individuals, carers and families are at the heart of service delivery and design. You will also contribute to corporate, local  regional and national developments and strategies, working with colleagues, partners, elected members, stakeholders and service users in designing and delivering our services.

What will you be doing?

For this role, you will be expected to demonstrate relevant theoretical Social Work concepts, values practices and technical knowledge relating to the provision of a professional Social Work services. You will be comfortable leading services including DOLs, Young Adults, AMPH services and Social worker teams working with people who require complex care and support strategies. Teams work closely with health and care partners and with legal services.

You will be able to demonstrate effective research and planning skills resulting in order to develop complex business critical solutions. You have ability to forward plan, continuously developing and reviewing the effectiveness of service, whilst still delivering the current service models. This will also include being able to recognise where change is needed and to challenge existing practices, processes, and activities to identify and deliver effective solutions thus promoting change.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will:
Have a recognised professional Social Work Qualification e.g. degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
Have a post graduate professional qualification relevant either to management or to the professional service specialism up to or aspiring to have level 7; or equivalent level of significant experience demonstrating comprehensive application of the above levels of knowledge in a relevant setting.
Have demonstrable self-sufficient expertise across the technical/professional specialism at the highest level of proficiency, with a comprehensive knowledge of complex practice interventions based on legislation, policy and best practice.
Have clear practical and theoretical knowledge of the political environment of local government and partner organisations.

For further information please contact Mandy Appleby – Service Director – Community Wellbeing Directorate.  Mandy.Appleby@herefordshire.gov.uk  Tel: 07792882107

About Us

We Offer

A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
Starting Salary of £67,734 - £72,738 (Including £6,000 Market Forces Supplement).
Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
Career progression: clear pathways to progress
Annual Leave: 26 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. After five years’ continuous service, this increases to 31 days (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
Flexible working: flexi-time, and, in some instances, home working
Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
Payment of professional membership fees
Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts. 

Why Choose Us?

You will probably have heard a lot about how beautiful it is in terms of countryside and open spaces (and it is!) but there is so much more going on here, including world-class cultural assets like the Mappa Mundi, vibrant theatres and a thriving food and drink sector.
One of Herefordshire’s biggest assets is the strong and diverse communities. Our Talk Community approach brings that together supporting people to help themselves, encouraging them to help their communities and identifying how communities can help individuals. Our ambitious transformation programme aims to further build on this to offer an all-age approach. We’re excited about the potential of what we can achieve for the benefit of all residents of Herefordshire, stronger together and building brighter futures. 
To find out more about what it’s like to live, work and thrive at Herefordshire Council please visit our dedicated recruitment website: www.spiritofherefordshire.com. 

Reasonable Adjustments

Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk. 

Creating an inclusive workplace

Employee Network Groups play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
Employee Network Groups are a collective of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and who come together to initiate positive change in their work place. Our groups include: Black and Asian Staff Networking Group, LGBTQ+, Parents & Carers, Climate and Nature Emergency, Diff-abilities and Armed Forces/ Veterans. For more information on our Employee Network Groups please click here. 

How to apply

We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:

 Those who indicate they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the Disability Confident scheme. Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are an Armed Force veteran or Reservist.   This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification!

 If you are successfully shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox.

Good luck, we’re looking forward to meeting you!
Community Wellbeing is connecting and belonging to the place where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community. 
Stronger Together, Building brighter futures