Interim Head of Service - Housing, Hardships and Welfare Support Services

As an active member of the senior officer team, support the Director in implementing the vision, strategy, and core values of the Division, providing leadership and direction across key service areas., Housing Strategy: Lead the development and implementation, working with partners to ensure effective housing duties.
Housing Advice & Homelessness: Oversee statutory duties in line with the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Early Years: Lead local delivery of the national early years education and childcare 'offer' under the Childcare Act.
Poverty: Lead the anti-poverty agenda, welfare, benefits, and hardship services, including Local Welfare Assistance and Discretionary Housing Payments.
Asylum Seekers & Refugees: Lead the International Resettlement Programme and support services for refugees and people from abroad.
Project Management: Lead departmental projects, create teams, establish plans, schedules, and manage performance.
Main Duties:

Provide strategic oversight of all service areas, ensuring high-quality, responsive services.
Lead a confident, innovative, and empowered workforce.
Develop partnerships and work collaboratively with external organisations to support the Division and the wider council.
Ensure services are compliant with statutory duties and delivered within quality frameworks.
Maximise resource use and seek external funding to enhance service delivery.
Coordinate service delivery, focusing on synergies across areas to improve effectiveness.
Manage risk, ensure service quality, and lead on policy development.
Stay updated with legislation and national policy, ensuring briefings for the team.
Promote equality and diversity, and use best practices to meet local needs.
Provide professional advice and lead service initiatives.
The Candidate Must Have

Degree in a relevant field (e.g., social policy, mental health, housing).
Recent professional development evidence.
Experience delivering services to vulnerable groups (adults, children, young people, families).
Management experience in a multidisciplinary team.
Proven ability to work in partnership with various organisations.
Expertise in service planning and delivering high-quality outcomes.
Knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance in housing, homelessness, children's services, and poverty alleviation.
Ability to develop and implement policies and quality assurance processes.
Strong communication, presentation, and ICT skills.
Ability to manage complex workloads and compile reports for varied audiences.
Ability to maintain effective communication with colleagues, management, and external agencies.