Kirklees Council
Service Manager - Practice Development
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Service Manager (Adult Social Care) – Practice Development
Kirklees Council – Adults & Health, Huddersfield and surrounding areas
We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.
Organisation Overview
Directorate: Adults & Health Service Area: Adults Social Care Operation Hours: 37 per week Number of Positions Available: 1 Location: Huddersfield and surrounding areas Position Type: Permanent Grade: Grade 15 Salary: £54,495 – £56,494
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and forward-thinking Service Manager to lead our Practice Development function within Adult Social Care.
This is a key leadership role, offering the opportunity to:
- Shape and drive practice improvement across the service
- Strengthen system-wide working
- Ensure consistently high-quality, strengths-based, and legally compliant practice
As a professionally qualified Social Worker, you will lead a dedicated Practice Improvement Team, focusing on transforming and strengthening Adult Social Care practice. This involves collaboration across operational teams and key partners (e.g., health services) to ensure joined-up, evidence-informed, and prioritised practice.
You will also work closely with the Head of Practice (Principal Social Worker) to deliver complex improvement programmes while fostering a culture of continuous learning, reflective practice, and innovation.
Our commitment is to high-quality, safe, and consistent practice, underpinned by:
- Strong governance
- Workforce development
- A clear focus on improving outcomes for the people we support
Senior Responsibilities
Key reporting points include: Head of Practice (Principal Social Worker) and wider leadership.
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Strategic & Operational Leadership:
- Provide leadership for practice improvement across Adult Social Care
- Lead and manage the Practice Improvement Team, supporting all operational services
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Framework & Policy Development:
- Drive the development and implementation of practice frameworks, policies, guidance, and quality assurance
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Service Transformation & Compliance:
- Lead transformation programmes to ensure practice aligns with legislation, national standards, and local priorities
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Innovation & Evidence-Based Practice:
- Promote innovation, co-production, and evidence-informed approaches across the workforce
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Quality Assurance & Auditing:
- Oversee quality assurance, audits, and performance activity
- Identify gaps and system-wide improvements
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Workforce Development:
- Shape and embed learning and development pathways in collaboration with organisational development
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Stakeholder & Partnership Building:
- Build strong partnerships across the Council and External Healthcare Partners
- Support integrated working and whole-system approaches
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Governance & Representation:
- Ensure robust governance arrangements
- Represent Adult Social Care at local, regional, and national forums relating to practice quality and innovation
Key Responsibilities
You will work closely with the Head of Practice to:
✔ Lead operational practice development, ensuring high-quality, safe, and consistent service provision
✔ Foster a collaborative culture that values reflective practice and evidence-based learning
✔ Partner with operational teams to implement practice improvements that meet legal standards
✔ Drive system-wide change, including workforce engagement and development
✔ Engage with external stakeholders (e.g., Health & Wellbeing Partners) to enhance person-centred care
✔ Represent Adult Social Care at relevant government and supply chain forums
Person Specification
We are seeking a values-driven leader with:
Qualifications & Experience
- Social Work qualification (ISC or equivalent)
- Social Work England registration (or equivalent national body)
- Substantial post-qualification experience, preferably in Adult Social Care
- Proven experience in managing Adult Social Care services, including:
- Workforce development
- Budget & resource management
- Strong knowledge of:
- Adult social care legislative frameworks
- CQC requirements
- Policy and guidance developments
Leadership & Strategic Skills
- Demonstratable experience leading service transformation and improvement programmes
- Ability to navigate complexity across organisational boundaries and sectors
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess risk and make defensible, ethical decisions
- Expertise in workforce development, including capability assessments and leadership coaching
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Soft Skills & Attributes
- Acute communication, influencing, and relationship management abilities
- Fiscal responsibility with attention to budgetary efficiency
- Collaborative mindset with the confidence to challenge and enhance current practice
Council Commitments
This role requires adherence to Kirklees Council's values-based, safeguarding, and accessibility standards. We expect all employees to uphold:
- A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Safeguarding duties for vulnerable adults and children
Cultural Fit & Opportunities
Kirklees Council values education, engagement, and empowerment. This role offers: 🔹 A supportive, collaborative leadership environment 🔹 Strong emphasis on learning, improvement, and innovation 🔹 Real opportunity to shape Adult Social Care practice within the region 🔹 A stable permanent position with clear future potential
If you value impact, collaboration, and a structured approach to change, you will thrive in this role.
Benefits
✅ Generous annual leave entitlement ✅ Investment in professional development & leadership training ✅ Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme ✅ Family-friendly policies and flexibilities ✅ Wellbeing support framework (cycle scheme, KAL membership discounts) ✅ A positive, values-driven culture with supportive colleagues
Closing Date & Next Steps
📅 Deadline: 23 July 2026, 11:55 PM
🗓 Shortlisting: 24 July 2026
🗓 Interviews: 29 July 2026
Contact & Application Support
For further details: 📧 Email: davina.michhiana@kirklees.gov.uk 📞 Call: +44 1484 221000
Need accessibility adjustments for your application? Contact the Recruitment Team directly.
DBS & Safeguarding Considerations
⚠ Process: DBS enhancement-level checks will be requested as part of the recruitment process. ⚠ Disclosure: Convictions are considered case-by-case and do not automatically exclude you from selection.
We strongly encourage applications from disability-aligned candidates and will provide accommodation for your application.
Additional Information
📄 Job Profile / Tentative Appendix available via the application portal.
Commitments & safeguarding policies fully outlined in employment documents.
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