Adaptations Team Manager

About the Home Adaptations Service

We have an exciting opportunity to expand our delivery of adaptations in Southampton and join the Council’s newly formed Home Adaptation Service.

The team manager will help direct, lead and manage all services across all tenures relating to adaptations in Southampton and provide a multi‑agency, strengths‑based approach to statutory support and other services. The role will develop interfaces across internal and external agencies to maximise independence and provide high quality information, advice, and guidance to disabled residents.

• Lead and manage a full administrative service to deliver the Disabled Facilities Grant and the Council’s Discretionary Housing Programme in its entirety, ensuring the service is appropriate for individual needs and that relevant support is offered to customers by Grant Law.
• Lead on all enquiries and referrals from customers or professional contacts, ensuring that the Occupational Therapist (OTs) and the Home Adaptations Team referral is acceptable and be responsible for liaison with all relevant internal and external organisations.
• Lead the management of customer expectations and work in partnership with the Housing OT service, housing surveyors and outsourced contractors for all building works, and administer the team’s cases effectively.
• Demonstrate strong and motivational leadership to ensure all staff are informed and understand their roles, creating an environment where staff can excel and are committed to providing high standards to the public as the first point of contact.
• Work closely with wider Council teams including Finance, Adult Social Care, Procurement, I.T. and external partners such as the Better Care Board.
• Help manage delegated budgets, financial and performance monitoring, and relevant reporting, including the setting targets for staff. Report accordingly on performance to Home Adaptations Service Manager and Senior Management.
• Lead and manage the team, undertaking regular 1:1s and appraisals and support training and team development to help drive change including Diversity, Inclusion and Equalities.
• Prepare briefing and cabinet papers working with the Home Adaptations Service Manager and relevant reports for Head of Housing Needs and Support, Executive Directors and Council Members, and also attend internal and external management meetings as required.

Our Home Adaptation Service supports both children and adult residents of Southampton who require an adaptation in their home to help access essential facilities and maximise independence.

• Major and minor adaptations funded via the Disabled Facilities Grant / Discretionary Financial Assistance Policy
• Adaptations delivered through Southampton City Council Housing Revenue Account
• Specialist equipment and other minor works when required

• Manage the Home Adaptations Service overall casework with the support of the Senior Caseworkers and Principal Officers and develop tailored support and action plans for an applicant’s requested adaptations from initial referral to the installation and completion of an adaptation.
• Support the Team in the overall delivery of adaptations and the team’s preparation of specifications and appropriate plans, write reports and submissions to the Home Adaptations Board and oversee contractor delivery ensuring grant conditions are met.
• Analyse data and produce reports to improve service delivery.
• Work closely with a range of internal and external partners, including:
  • Home Adaptation Team including Triage officers, Caseworkers, Senior Technical Officers, Technical Officers and Southampton’s Principal Officers.
  • Adult Social Care and Housing Occupational Therapists.
  • Appropriate additional support agencies.
  • Relevant NHS and community health teams.
  • Support the delivery of safe, effective and timely adaptation pathways.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement and development of the service.

• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Have relevant team management and adaptation experience.
• Can handle sensitive situations with empathy and negotiate with stakeholders.
• Can lead and manage a multidisciplinary…