Associate Director - Social Care & Social Work

Provides senior professional leadership for Social Work and Social Care across DCHS, ensuring safe, effective and high quality practice is consistently delivered. Acts as the organisational lead for statutory Social Work responsibilities, professional standards and regulatory compliance, working in line with relevant legislation, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding frameworks. Leads the development and delivery of robust professional governance, including supervision, reflective practice, oversight of complex cases and quality assurance, ensuring risks are identified and managed and that learning from safeguarding activity, audits and reviews is embedded Provides expert professional advice to senior operational and clinical leaders, influencing decision-making on safeguarding, capacity, risk management and ethical practice. Acts as a key link between frontline Social Work and Social Care teams and senior leadership, supporting improvement and ensuring the consistent application of policy, standards and best practice. Represents Social Work across internal and external partnerships, including local authorities and multi-agency forums, strengthening integrated working and promoting a positive, strengths-based social work culture. Ensures effective professional development, workforce capability and maintenance of Social Work England registration requirements. Job description Job responsibilities Provides senior professional leadership for Social Work and Social Care across DCHS, ensuring safe, effective and high quality practice is consistently delivered. Acts as the organisational lead for statutory Social Work responsibilities, professional standards and regulatory compliance, working in line with relevant legislation, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding frameworks. Leads the development and delivery of robust professional governance, including supervision, reflective practice, oversight of complex cases and quality assurance, ensuring risks are identified and managed and that learning from safeguarding activity, audits and reviews is embedded Provides expert professional advice to senior operational and clinical leaders, influencing decision-making on safeguarding, capacity, risk management and ethical practice. Acts as a key link between frontline Social Work and Social Care teams and senior leadership, supporting improvement and ensuring the consistent application of policy, standards and best practice. Represents Social Work across internal and external partnerships, including local authorities and multi-agency forums, strengthening integrated working and promoting a positive, strengths-based social work culture. Ensures effective professional development, workforce capability and maintenance of Social Work England registration requirements.