Head of Service – Adult Social Care Operations - Early Resolution; front door and Safeguarding

Head of Service – Adult Social Care Operations - Early Resolution (front door) and Safeguarding Service

Location:

Aylesbury

We’re seeking an experienced, values‑led leader to provide strategic direction and strong operational grip across key Adult Social Care services at our front door.

Salary circa £80,000 per annum.

The role focuses on driving quality, safeguarding, and continuous improvement, while empowering managers and teams to deliver outstanding outcomes.

This is a senior leadership role and the you’ll be required to work in collaboration with the Adult Social Care senior leadership team, health partners and the wider Council.

You’ll have a proven track record of effective leadership, evidence of strong performance and high‑quality governance, workforce planning, emergency planning and continuous business improvement.

Reporting to the Service Director and working closely with senior managers and operational leaders, you’ll provide strategic and operational leadership alongside the ability to deliver transformation, embed change.

Using a coaching and motivational approach, you’ll ensure staff can provide flexible, efficient and high‑quality services within a constantly changing environment. In a changing environment, you will be able to clearly articulate how a strength‑based practice model translates with partners into improved outcomes for vulnerable adults in Buckinghamshire.

• Significant leadership experience in Adult Social Care safeguarding / quality with clear impact on practice and outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of the Care Act, MCA/DoLS, and safeguarding statutory guidance, with confidence to lead complex risk management.
• Strong audit, governance, and improvement skills; ability to turn insights into coaching, standards and measurable change.
• Strong performance management skills, using data and insight to improve outcomes and service quality.
• Collaborative, values driven leadership able to inspire professional communities and build effective multi‑agency partnerships.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to build credibility across partners and communities.
• model our values:
  Proud
  , Ambitious
  , Collaborative and Trustworthy
  .

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well‑being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality,…