Specialist Manager - Learning Disability

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About the role

Are you an experienced leader in Adult Social Care? Are you passionate about empowering people with learning disabilities to live 'gloriously ordinary lives'? Dorset Council is seeking an additional dynamic Specialist Manager to lead and shape their Learning Disability Service.

About the Role

As Specialist Manager, you will:

• Work closely with the other Learning Disability Specialist Manager to shape and monitor the practice of the learning disability teams, fostering an environment that empowers practitioners to work collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for individuals.
• Oversee operational delivery of the service, ensuring the teams can competently deliver on their statutory responsibilities while operating within budget.
• Collaborate with individuals, families, advocates, health partners, and community organisations to ensure an integrated approach to care and support.
• Be a key system leader, working together with senior managers across the sector to proactively address service issues, improve quality and drive innovation.
• Champion a strengths-based approach and embed Dorset Council's values in everyday practice.

What We're Looking For

• Proven leadership experience in adult social care, ideally within learning disability services.
• A key system leader who is able to demonstrate core values of collaboration, partnership working and co-production.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning, championing excellent social care practice and guiding teams through the ever changing landscape of Social Care Reform, CQC Assurance and Integrated Care System priorities.
• Extensive post-qualifying experience which showcases a comprehensive understanding of person centred, assessment and support planning for people with complex needs.
• Evidence of embedding a strengths based, least restrictive approach wherever possible and practicable.
• Strong commitment to inclusion, dignity, and co-production with people who use our services.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, positive risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication skills including chairing meetings, providing professional supervision and producing detailed and insightful reports.
• Strong budget and performance management skills ensuring efficient allocation of resources while maintaining high service standards.

Why Dorset Council?

• A forward-thinking authority committed to putting people at the heart of care and support
• Access to comprehensive training, reflective supervision, and career development pathways.
• A vibrant, supportive team culture with a focus on wellbeing, learning and innovation.
• Generous annual leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
• Opportunity to shape services that truly make a difference in people's lives.

If you're ready to lead with purpose and compassion, we'd love to hear from you.

Further Information

For an informal conversation or if you have any questions, please contact Linzi Gow, Head of Specialist Services, [email protected].

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

See our adult safeguarding policy.

About Us

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you're passionate about making a difference, we'd love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.