Somerset Council
Residential Sufficiency Strategic Development Manager
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Salary: £95,090 per annum (£65,090 Grade 6 salary + up to a £30,000 allowance)
Contract: Fixed-term position until 01/09/2028.
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Closing date: 31/08/2026
About the Role
This is an exciting time to be joining Somerset Council, as we continue to develop our innovative model of delivering residential care for some of our most challenged children. You’ll be playing a key role supporting our children in care through the design and development of our residential sufficiency model.
You’ll be leading on the development of a sustainable and integrated residential care system. This will include the development, commissioning, implementation and continuous improvement of the residential sufficiency model, designing residential services, governance frameworks and partnership arrangements, including the interface between directly delivered and commissioned provision.
This role will involve collaborative working with internal services, residential providers and key strategic partners, including health, education, fostering agencies and providers of residential care. Your responsibility will be to drive quality, performance service improvement across the residential offer.
Over the forthcoming 2 years, you will be creating and mobilising high-quality residential provision for our children in care, which meets current and future demand. You will establish a consistent culture and ethos of care which allow our children and young people to thrive in safe and caring homes in Somerset that meet their needs.
How You'll Make a Difference
- Provide strategic leadership and responsibility for the development, implementation and continuous review of Homes & Horizons, Somerset’s residential care programme.
- Lead the design, development and commissioning of up to 11 residential children’s homes and associated services.
- Develop operating models, service frameworks and delivery approaches that are trauma-informed and evidence-based.
- Ensure full compliance with Ofsted regulatory frameworks, statutory requirements and Children’s Homes regulations.
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures, ensuring consistency of practice and effective governance across both internally delivered and externally commissioned services.
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What You’ll Bring
- Significant experience in leading the strategic development, transformation or expansion of children’s residential care services.
- Experience of designing, commissioning and mobilising residential children’s homes.
- Experience of developing service models and improving service quality and performance.
- Expert knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance and regulatory frameworks.
- Detailed knowledge of residential sufficiency duties, placement commissioning and children’s social care system.
- Comprehensive understanding of trauma-informed practice and safeguarding.
- Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience within a relevant field (e.g. Social Work, Children's Services, Leadership, Management or Public Service)
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Ability to analyse complex information and provide expert professional advice and strategic recommendations.
Why Join Us?
At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
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- Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
- Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/
Further Information
- Relationships are important to us; therefore, the successful candidate will be able to be visible and present in Somerset 2-3 days per week.
- This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
- 33 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship
For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Henrietta Barkham, Service Director Commissioning and Performance, via email at henrietta.barkham@somerset.gov.uk.
We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.
You can find a copy of the job description here: RP324 Residential Sufficiency Strategic Development Manager.pdf
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