Divisional Director Adult Social Care - Transformation and Commissioning
Join us and play a major role in shaping the future of our organisation and providing first class services to the communities we serve
“We do things differently here in Torbay and have been praised for our way of working. The collaboration between ourselves and the NHS has seen 19 years of pioneering collaboration between health and adult social care, leading to the establishment of the integrated care organisation (ICO) in October 2015”Joanna Williams, Director of Adult and Community Services
A message from the Director of Adult and Community Services
Dear candidate,
Thank you for your interest in this key leadership role here at Torbay Council.
I genuinely can't think of a better time to be part of the leadership team at Torbay. We have a real momentum with a once in a generation investment taking place across our three towns. Building on our LGC Most Improved Council Award in 2024, the LGA have summarised this as our "moment in time". Our passion and drive to improve life for our residents goes beyond our council offices. The whole community is keen to see good ideas come to life and to take steps to help build resilient communities.
Torbay is a beautiful area to live and visit. We have a stunning natural landscape to be immensely proud of, but like a lot of coastal areas across the UK we have nationally significant levels of poverty., an increasing ageing population and close to a quarter of the population are identified as unpaid carers. We also know that the proportion of residents in Torbay experiencing deprivation due to low income has increased in recent years. This is what makes our challenge interesting and worthwhile.
We do things differently here in Torbay and have been praised for our way of working. The collaboration between us and the NHS has seen 19 years of pioneering collaboration between health and adult social care, leading to the establishment of the integrated care organisation (ICO) in October 2015. You will be at the forefront of this partnership ensuring we continue to deliver our services to those that need us.
I'm looking forward to working with the successful candidate to combine our expertise and commitment on behalf of the people of Torbay. We are an agile unitary authority and you'll soon discover that this is a place where you can make things happen quickly and where you can establish direct relationships with key stakeholders. It means that you will regularly need to get close to the detail and it also gives you true ownership of the agenda.
Torbay is a great place to live and work. This is a great role for a talented and ambitious person who has a passion for helping people to be their best and to be healthy, happy and prosperous and I look forward to receiving your application.
Should you wish to discuss the role in more detail, I encourage you to contact Anna Coles, incumbent, (07917 515976) or myself (07766 160574) .
Joanna Williams,
Director of Adult and Community Services
Joanna Williams,
Director of Adult and Community Services
About the area
Torbay – the English Riviera – occupies a prime position on the south coast of Devon. It is a fantastic place to live, work and visit, offering an unrivalled quality of life for individuals and families. Torbay is made up of the three coastal towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, each with a unique character. Our population is more than 135,000 making it the second largest urban area in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
We have a stunning natural environment with 22 miles of coastline. There is great access to the sea from a number of harbours and beaches with our communities also enjoying the benefits of an urban style of living.
Our coastline provides countless opportunities for outdoor activities. In the summer months you’ll always see plenty of activity: swimming, boating, kayaking, paragliding to name but a few. And if a more steady pace appeals to you then there’s plenty of opportunity to try your hand at fishing or just take in the stunning views on the South West Coast Path.
In addition, access to the countryside, Dartmoor and more remote parts of the county could not be easier. A new road infrastructure gives fast and reliable access to all parts of the UK, including Exeter and Bristol airports.
Our rich geological, historical and cultural heritage has gained and retained international recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark since designation in 2007. Other jewels in the Torbay’s crown include Agatha Christie, Torre Abbey, a wonderful food and drink offer, many tourist attractions and a busy events calendar, including the Annual English Riviera Air Show and sailing events.
With a constant influx of visitors there is a fantastic range of restaurants and cafes to cater to all tastes. Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of fresh seafood on offer and we are known as England’s Seafood Coast.
We have high quality, high performing primary and secondary schools and South Devon College is recognised as one of the top further education colleges in England, with aspirations of achieving university status.
Whilst tourism and fishing will always be a central part of the local economy, that’s not the full picture. Torbay hosts globally significant technology businesses operating in photonics, marine industries, nanotechnology and medi-tech. That high-tech economy is central to our mission - to become a council that supports, enables and empowers its residents, its communities and its partnerships.
About the role
Becoming our Divisional Director of Adult Social Care – Transformation and Commissioning is a great career move for a leader who is ready to take on an expansive portfolio of Adult Social Care and a central corporate leadership role within the Council.
You will be directly accountable for the commissioning, delivery and transformation of Adult Social Care and act as the senior leader on all aspects of Adult Social Care Transformation and Strategic Change for the Council including:
You will be directly accountable for the commissioning, delivery and transformation of Adult Social Care and act as the senior leader on all aspects of Adult Social Care Transformation and Strategic Change for the Council including:
- Being jointly responsible for the leadership and operational running of all aspects of the Adult Social Care Commissioning Service in Torbay Council and ensure that statutory functions are effectively discharged and compliant.
- To jointly lead and manage with the Divisional Director of ASC commissioning policy, procedure and practice to ensure that effective and robust procedures are established and maintained in order that statutory duties with regards to adult social care are fulfilled.
- To oversee the strategic transformation of ASC in Torbay, including supporting and encouraging partners.
- To develop and ensure the delivery of high-quality Adult Social Care services which are safe, robust and measurable and provide positive outcomes for adults eligible for services under the Care Act, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act in accordance with agreed procedures and practice.
- To promote approaches that support the development of strong and resilient communities as the bedrock for securing good outcomes for vulnerable adults and young people and secure their improved well being and enhance their life chances.
- To be responsible for the leadership, professional development and setting of performance standards for adult social care and overseeing the S75 arrangements for their delivery.
- To consult as appropriate with the Lead Member for Adult Services and to provide appropriate and meaningful information to enable Members of the Council to monitor performance against standards, progress and set targets for the future achievement of the Council’s strategic objectives.
- To oversee the Council’s Transformation and Sustainability Program, including the delivery of partners, shaping services to deliver outcomes for vulnerable adults and their carers within the agreed financial envelope.
- To lead from the Local Authority in the reshaping of future focussing on the full service integration with other public bodies and in partnership with evolving resilient communities.
This is a visible role within the Council and the community. We are fully committed to the principles of co-design and co-production, which means stakeholder engagement will be an integral part of your work. You’ll help to make sure that our staff and communities feel connected to what’s happening around them.
We expect that you’ll already have extensive senior management experience across a relevant portfolio of services, and that you can demonstrate how your leadership has helped to build momentum behind key initiatives and arrive at tangible outcomes. You’ll be accustomed to working in a political and partnership context and be skilled in negotiating, brokering and influencing complex issues.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, apply below to register your details and access the full role profile and details of the recruitment process.
We expect that you’ll already have extensive senior management experience across a relevant portfolio of services, and that you can demonstrate how your leadership has helped to build momentum behind key initiatives and arrive at tangible outcomes. You’ll be accustomed to working in a political and partnership context and be skilled in negotiating, brokering and influencing complex issues.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, apply below to register your details and access the full role profile and details of the recruitment process.
Join us and help create thriving communities where people can prosper
You will be key to building strong and meaningful relationships with the community and oversee the provision of good quality statutory community services
About the council
Torbay Council is a unitary authority that employs around 1,000 people (excluding schools-based employees) and has its headquarters in Torquay.
We want to see a healthy, happy and prosperous Torbay.
We want to deliver for our people and our place. We know we have challenges, but we have high aspirations. By continuing to work closely with our communities and partners and capitalising on our strengths, we want to make Torbay a great place to do business - a place where everyone is able to live their best life.
Our Community and Corporate Plan is built around three themes:
- Community and People
- Pride in Place
- Economic Growth
The Council is made up of 36 Councillors representing 15 wards and, whilst in no-overall control, has a Conservative administration.
The Leader of the Council is Councillor David Thomas and Deputy Leader of the Council is Councillor Chris Lewis.
The Chief Executive is joined on the senior management team by six Directors:
- Director of Pride of Place
- Director of Children’s Services
- Director of Public Health
- Director for Adults and Community Services
- Director of Finance
- Director of Corporate Services
What we offer
We are one of the largest employers in Torbay.
We are committed to making a difference in our community and delivering high quality, value for money services to local people. To achieve this we only recruit the best - people who are forward-thinking and adaptable with a clear customer orientated focus and who always act with integrity.
In return, you will receive excellent employment terms and conditions and the opportunity to work for an organisation that recognises and values the contributions of its employees.
At Torbay, we are very proud to have a workforce that is committed and hard-working.
As our Director of Adults and Community Services we can offer you the following:
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an extra day for long service
- Relocation package for the successful candidate
- A Career Average Re-valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme through Peninsula Pensions
- Commitment to a good Work/Life Balance with options including a career break scheme, hybrid working, flexible retirement and the ability to purchase additional annual leave
- Family friendly benefits such as flexible working and access to childcare vouchers, paid maternity, adoption and paternity leave schemes (where eligible) and paid leave for fertility treatment
- Equal Opportunities policies including Equal Pay
- A range of Employee wellbeing support initiatives including access to Counselling with a healthy work environment that puts employee wellbeing initiatives at the heart of all we do
- Employee Discounts Scheme - online and in-store access to a range of local and national discounts exclusively for our employees
- Professional support including coaching and mentoring
- A commitment to Continuing Professional development
- Discounted Employee Car Parking Scheme
- Dental scheme
- Cycle2Work scheme
Ready to play a major role in shaping the future of our organisation?
This is a chance to bring your expertise to every aspect of Torbay Council at an exciting and pivotal time for the English Riviera.