Head of Finance - Adult Social Care

Role: Head of Finance Adult Social Care

Location: Northwest

Contract: 6 months

Rate: Negotiable P/D umbrella

Working Pattern: Hybrid

I am currently working on behalf of a local authority client who is looking for an interim head of finance within the adult social care directorate.

The role:

To work across the Adult and Health and Children's Services Directorate with the primary purpose of leading and managing financial services, performance development, quality monitoring, and business governance support for the adult's portfolio, ensuring the delivery of services within the area of responsibility of the post. The post holder will deliver all aspects of the Finance function for ASC, including strategic financial advice, financial management of the Adults Commissioning budget, Better Care Fund pooled budget, grant returns, PH grants, service user financial assessments, and management of all transactional services and corporate appointee/deputyship services on behalf of the Strategic Director for Adults & Health. The post holder will work closely with other colleagues and directorates and as part of a peer team with the Head of Commissioning in delivering a joined-up service within the Council to ensure that services commissioned for all people living in Blackburn with Darwen are high quality, effective services that deliver the best possible outcomes within the available resources. The post holder shall cover for the Head of Service Commissioning when they are absent from duty and engage in commissioning functions as agreed.

Key responsibilities:

• Work with key people services across the council and partners to review services, oversee the design and development of specifications and methods of delivery, ensuring a coordinated and cross-cutting approach to improving the use of budgets through integration and collaboration.
• Develop, review, and improve performance, financial, and business support systems ensuring that comprehensive arrangements are in place for an agreed portfolio of contracts with service providers, with a focus on outcomes and measurable quality standards.
• Provide effective leadership to the ASC Finance, Performance, Direct Payments, and Complex Care teams in order to drive service improvements and lead organisational and cultural change, keeping up to date with social care, health and public health strategy and policy and influencing strategic thinking.
• Ensure full compliance with Local Authority systems including risk management, performance monitoring, staff supervision, and appraisals, and contribute to a workforce development plan, providing an assessment of future staffing requirements in relation to service developments, finance, performance, and commissioning plans.
• Lead the effective management of financial resources including a variety of Council budgets and relevant funding streams.
• Represent the council and department on working groups, structured meetings, project boards, and development meetings with the health sector and other key partners as required.
• Proactively drive innovation and continuous improvement across the service both departmentally and organisationally to achieve the best possible, positive, and effective outcomes for citizens.

Applicant Requirements:

• Must be a qualified accountant.
• Must display and evidence significant experience in Adult Social Care finance at a senior level, with recent experience.
• Experience working alongside NHS colleagues of a similar level.