Director of Adult Services

Director of Adult Services

Salary up to £135,000

Blackpool is a town with pride, ambition and a powerful sense of place. As we continue our journey of improvement and renewal, adult social care sits at the heart of our vision for thriving, healthy and independent communities. We’ve strengthened our foundations, invested in leadership and practice, and built strong partnerships with health, the voluntary sector and community organisations.

THE ROLE

We’re now looking for an exceptional DASS who can help us turn progress into long-term, sustainable excellence. This is a role for a visible, values-driven leader who can inspire our workforce, champion quality and safeguarding, and bring strong professional credibility. You’ll hold a social work qualification and provide authoritative leadership across a complex system, from market shaping and financial stewardship to integrated working with our ICB partners and oversight of CQC-regulated services.

Our new Director will inherit a passionate team backed by members who are committing resources where they are most needed. We have a passionate, talented and committed workforce and now need a strong leader to drive the service forward. They will change the culture, bring in a co-production ethos and help us to continue building capacity in the areas that need it most.

They will also play a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition to a new larger unitary authority as local government reorganisation takes shape – seizing the opportunities this will create for social care. This role isn’t just about leading Adult Social Services in Blackpool but looking to the future and the new council, engaging in the structure and design of a post-LGR world. You will be getting in on the ground floor, being able to shape it, building on those initial foundations and being part of a growing organisation. 

If you’re motivated by impact, confident operating politically, and ready to lead change that genuinely improves people’s lives, we’d love to hear from you.

INFORMATION

Download the candidate pack here or visit here for further details. For more information, please contact Tim Farr on 07756 293292 or tim.farr@starfishsearch.com

Timeline

Closing Date: Monday 6th April 2026

Longlist Meeting: 9th April 2026

Preliminary Interviews: 13th & 14th April 2026

Shortlist Meeting: 29th April 2026

Assessment Centre: 8th May 2026

Final Panel: 11th May 2026

How to apply

To make an application, please click on the apply now button site here, with the following prepared:

Your CV (no more than three sides of A4).
A supporting statement (no more than three sides of A4) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/vulnerable adults. This post is subject to satisfactory reference history of at least two years, Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, medical clearance, evidence of any essential qualifications and proof of Right to Work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

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to view the Job Description.

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