Head of Service - Community Opportunities

Head of Service - Community Opportunities
Salary - £68,958 - £87,981 pa

Are you interested in heading up our newly created Community Opportunities within Adults and Health here in Newham? This exciting post reporting to the Director of Operations will be responsible for an expanding portfolio which includes in-house day opportunities, which are being transformed into wider reaching community services and our recently reviewed, improved and re-launched enablement service.

Like many other authorities, the pandemic has been a catalyst to review how we provide direct services and we have taken the opportunity to enhance how we provide what have been, in recent years, traditional day services. We are improving our building-based services to provide highly specialist opportunities for older and working age adults. This includes people with learning disabilities, autism and profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Our vision is to create high quality, sustainable Community Opportunities which are flexible, person centred to facilitate what people want and focus on the outcomes to improve their skills, independence and wellbeing. This is set against a backdrop of prevention and supporting people in the community.

At the same time, we are increasing our reach with services already based in the community and want to develop our focus on enterprise. This means not only supporting people who use our services into skills development and employment. It also means finding innovative ways to make our assets accessible to the wider community and generate additional income that can be used to develop Community Opportunities further.

We want our staff to have the opportunity to offer the best services they can, that people will find attractive and wish to choose.  At the same time, we want to ensure that people who are not yet eligible for services are supported in ways that mean that they will be able to retain their independence for as long as possible. Our Community Opportunities model is therefore one in which people may choose to come to us, or we meet in ways to suit them.

We already have a number of plans for improvements to be led by the successful post holder. Including –

• Reviewing specialist cleaning and improving our offer to people who may hoard
• Set up and manage a reablement / skills development approach for people with learning disabilities
• Oversee the review of our learning disabilities offer and create specialist services including Intensive Support, Positive Behaviour Support and an improved offer to people with profound and multiple learning disabilities
• Review and improve our enterprise offer – seeking to make better use of community and individual resources
• Working closely with Public Health and other partners to review and improve our approach to social prescribing and to create a menu of support opportunities that works with residents as individuals from a preventative approach through to needing intensive support services.

You will be joining at a time when you will lead the changes to develop Community Opportunities and so will be able to influence the final design. We are looking for a dynamic and inspirational person, who is able to work in a flexible way with communities, staff and partners. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial and have experience of innovation and co-design, as well as strong communication, problem-solving and partnership skills. You will work with colleagues in other parts of the Council including Public Health and Children’s services to ensure that our offer is as joined up as possible. You will be keen to integrate digital solutions wherever possible and be comfortable working at a range of levels to be able to successfully design and implement pathways and approaches.

You’ll need to be able to think strategically and creatively; manage in a supportive and collaborative style, and deliver at pace.  A confident presenter, excellent relationship-builder and a reflective professional, you’ll be excited by the challenge ahead. You will be somebody who wants to build upon their already impressive career portfolio which will include operating, influencing and leading improvement at a senior manager level.

You will have experience of managing as a senior manager within a person centred environment. You may also have experience of transformational change including managing capital projects and developing staff structures.

Closing Date: 5th June 2022 at 23:59

Possible interview date - 17th June 2022

Should you wish to discuss this opportunity, please email Tony Jobling, Director of Operations  tony.jobling@newham.gov.uk  

Please view Head of Service JD

Additional Information

The London Borough of Newham is a Disability Confident employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria as specified in the Job Profile will be guaranteed an interview.

Newham is one of the youngest, most diverse, and vibrant boroughs in the UK. As an inclusive employer, we are committed to ensuring our workforce reflects our local population. We welcome and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, including applicants who are ethnically diverse and/or applicants who have a disability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Priority consideration on all advertised roles will be given to London Borough of Newham Redeployees.

The London Borough of Newham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Please be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) check