Interim Head of Services
Posted 8 hours 11 minutes ago by Carers Bucks
Permanent
Not Specified
Other
Not Specified, United Kingdom
Job Description
About Carers Bucks
At Carers Bucks we are committed to making a lasting and positive difference in the lives of unpaid carers across Buckinghamshire - from children as young as five to adults supporting loved ones through physical or mental illness, frailty, disability or addiction. We understand that caring can impact a person s health, wellbeing and future opportunities and we are here to change that.
Our vision is that every unpaid carer in Buckinghamshire feels recognised, respected and supported in their role so they can access the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them regardless of age, circumstance and cultural or socio-economic background.
Our team is at the heart of everything we do. We foster a positive, supportive working culture where wellbeing matters, and professional development is encouraged and celebrated.
Our values reflect our core principles and culture. They guide how we engage with service users and how we work as a team. We are
Kind
We understand the challenges carers face. With real compassion and empathy we are able to build confidence and resilience in both carers and colleagues.
Inclusive
We adapt our services to meet the diverse needs of all carers, making sure they feel seen, supported and empowered in their role.
Collaborative
We work together with carers, partners and one another to listen, learn and improve outcomes.
Innovative
We are curious to find better ways to support carers. We are open to new ideas and committed to improving what we do.
Reliable
We are informed, trustworthy and confidential. We do what we say we will - every time.
As a trusted local charity with over 20 years experience, we are continually evolving to meet carer s needs and improve access to support. This new role is part of that process.
About the Role
In this newly created role, you will work directly with the CEO, providing oversight and direction to Team Leaders to ensure that services operate effectively and meet contractual requirements. You will be passionate about making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers in Buckinghamshire, with the ability to make an impact quickly. You ll bring proven hands-on experience in a similar role working with a team to establish effective and innovative ways to deliver services.
Main Responsibilities
1. Strategic and Operational Leadership
Hold overall accountability for service performance and quality, working through the Adult, Young and Hospital Carers Team Leaders who lead day-to-day operations
Ensure alignment with our strategic priorities and our commissioned outcomes.
Contribute as an active member of the Senior Management Team, supporting organisational strategy, planning and delivery.
Ensure that all carer services operate cohesively, with smooth transitions between age groups and consistent quality standards.
Use data and feedback to drive service improvement and innovation.
2. Service Delivery and Quality
Oversee the effective management of the Adult, Young, Young Adult and Hospital teams.
Embed a culture of high performance, reflective practice and continuous learning.
Ensure strong safeguarding practices are central in all services
Ensure systems are used consistently for case management, data recording and reporting.
Work with the Diverse Communities Worker and other leads to ensure services are inclusive, culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of underrepresented groups
Oversee the effective involvement of volunteers within carer services, working with the Volunteer Manager to ensure they are well-supported, trained and valued as integral members of the team.
3. People Leadership and Team Development
Foster collaboration and a supportive team culture built on the Carers Bucks values.
Line-manage and support the three Team Leads, ensuring clarity of priorities, effective supervision and professional growth.
Support wellbeing, resilience and a sense of shared purpose across teams.
4. Safeguarding
Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Carers Bucks, providing advice and guidance to staff on safeguarding issues, ensuring compliance with policy and statutory requirements, and escalating concerns appropriately.
Maintain oversight of all safeguarding cases across the organisation and support Team Leaders in their DDSL responsibilities.
5. Partnership and Representation
Provide strategic coordination across thematic leads (Diverse Communities, Hospitals, Volunteers) to ensure alignment and shared priorities across services
Represent Carers Bucks strategically with partners across social care, education and health.
Support the CEO in relationships with commissioners, primary and secondary care, schools and VCSE partners to enhance identification and referral of carers.
Champion the voice of carers of all ages through partnership boards, networks and other forums.
6. Performance, Impact and Reporting
Monitor performance against contract outcomes, KPIs and quality standards.
Work with our Data Lead to ensure accurate reporting and a strong evidence base for our work.
Analyse trends and learning to inform service design and improvement.
Contribute to quarterly and annual reports for commissioners and trustees.
Provide effective feedback upwards to the CEO.
7. Organisational Contribution
Contribute to strategic planning, risk management and organisational development.
Represent Carers Bucks at events, conference and key campaigns
Lead on the co-design of new approaches, including digital and preventative models.
Stay abreast of local and national developments in carers policy and practice.
Undertake other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.
Personal Attributes, Skills and Experience
Essential Experience or Qualifications
We have recently published our one-year strategy, guiding us through the next phase of our development.
By joining our team, you will:
Employee Benefits Include:
. click apply for full job details
At Carers Bucks we are committed to making a lasting and positive difference in the lives of unpaid carers across Buckinghamshire - from children as young as five to adults supporting loved ones through physical or mental illness, frailty, disability or addiction. We understand that caring can impact a person s health, wellbeing and future opportunities and we are here to change that.
Our vision is that every unpaid carer in Buckinghamshire feels recognised, respected and supported in their role so they can access the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them regardless of age, circumstance and cultural or socio-economic background.
Our team is at the heart of everything we do. We foster a positive, supportive working culture where wellbeing matters, and professional development is encouraged and celebrated.
Our values reflect our core principles and culture. They guide how we engage with service users and how we work as a team. We are
Kind
We understand the challenges carers face. With real compassion and empathy we are able to build confidence and resilience in both carers and colleagues.
Inclusive
We adapt our services to meet the diverse needs of all carers, making sure they feel seen, supported and empowered in their role.
Collaborative
We work together with carers, partners and one another to listen, learn and improve outcomes.
Innovative
We are curious to find better ways to support carers. We are open to new ideas and committed to improving what we do.
Reliable
We are informed, trustworthy and confidential. We do what we say we will - every time.
As a trusted local charity with over 20 years experience, we are continually evolving to meet carer s needs and improve access to support. This new role is part of that process.
About the Role
In this newly created role, you will work directly with the CEO, providing oversight and direction to Team Leaders to ensure that services operate effectively and meet contractual requirements. You will be passionate about making a difference to the lives of unpaid carers in Buckinghamshire, with the ability to make an impact quickly. You ll bring proven hands-on experience in a similar role working with a team to establish effective and innovative ways to deliver services.
Main Responsibilities
1. Strategic and Operational Leadership
Hold overall accountability for service performance and quality, working through the Adult, Young and Hospital Carers Team Leaders who lead day-to-day operations
Ensure alignment with our strategic priorities and our commissioned outcomes.
Contribute as an active member of the Senior Management Team, supporting organisational strategy, planning and delivery.
Ensure that all carer services operate cohesively, with smooth transitions between age groups and consistent quality standards.
Use data and feedback to drive service improvement and innovation.
2. Service Delivery and Quality
Oversee the effective management of the Adult, Young, Young Adult and Hospital teams.
Embed a culture of high performance, reflective practice and continuous learning.
Ensure strong safeguarding practices are central in all services
Ensure systems are used consistently for case management, data recording and reporting.
Work with the Diverse Communities Worker and other leads to ensure services are inclusive, culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of underrepresented groups
Oversee the effective involvement of volunteers within carer services, working with the Volunteer Manager to ensure they are well-supported, trained and valued as integral members of the team.
3. People Leadership and Team Development
Foster collaboration and a supportive team culture built on the Carers Bucks values.
Line-manage and support the three Team Leads, ensuring clarity of priorities, effective supervision and professional growth.
Support wellbeing, resilience and a sense of shared purpose across teams.
4. Safeguarding
Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Carers Bucks, providing advice and guidance to staff on safeguarding issues, ensuring compliance with policy and statutory requirements, and escalating concerns appropriately.
Maintain oversight of all safeguarding cases across the organisation and support Team Leaders in their DDSL responsibilities.
5. Partnership and Representation
Provide strategic coordination across thematic leads (Diverse Communities, Hospitals, Volunteers) to ensure alignment and shared priorities across services
Represent Carers Bucks strategically with partners across social care, education and health.
Support the CEO in relationships with commissioners, primary and secondary care, schools and VCSE partners to enhance identification and referral of carers.
Champion the voice of carers of all ages through partnership boards, networks and other forums.
6. Performance, Impact and Reporting
Monitor performance against contract outcomes, KPIs and quality standards.
Work with our Data Lead to ensure accurate reporting and a strong evidence base for our work.
Analyse trends and learning to inform service design and improvement.
Contribute to quarterly and annual reports for commissioners and trustees.
Provide effective feedback upwards to the CEO.
7. Organisational Contribution
Contribute to strategic planning, risk management and organisational development.
Represent Carers Bucks at events, conference and key campaigns
Lead on the co-design of new approaches, including digital and preventative models.
Stay abreast of local and national developments in carers policy and practice.
Undertake other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.
Personal Attributes, Skills and Experience
Essential Experience or Qualifications
- Proven experience of operating at a similar level, leading a services team in the charity sector.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams to achieve shared goals.
- Proven ability to quickly make an impact.
- Experience of delivering training or presentations to external audiences.
- Experience of report writing and using data to inform decisions.
- Proven experience of a commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.
- Experience of safeguarding principles for both adults and children and experience in applying them.
- A full UK driving licence and or access to own transport.
- Previous experience of working with carers, health and social care professionals.
- Strategic thinker, able to translate organisational priorities into clear operational plans.
- Confident decision-maker who can balance compassion with accountability.
- Skilled at managing change and fostering a culture of learning and improvement.
- Strong time and project management skills, able to balance competing demands.
- Excellent written, verbal and listening skills, with the ability to adapt communication to different audiences.
- Good general level of IT skills.
- Confident and persuasive when engaging with professionals across health, education, and social care.
- The ability to represent Carers Bucks positively and credibly at a senior and strategic level.
- Skilled in building and maintaining productive partnerships and networks.
- Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and how to embed this in service design and delivery.
- Confident using data and outcomes measures to monitor impact and inform service development.
- Confident with figures.
- Well-informed about carers rights, challenges and available resources.
- Awareness of developments in health, education and social care policy, and their implications for carers.
- Empathic, approachable and emotionally intelligent.
- Self-starter who is organised, proactive and solution focused.
- Calm under pressure, able to prioritise and make sound judgements.
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a positive can-do attitude.
- Committed to the values and ethos of Carers Bucks and to supporting carers wellbeing.
- A willingness to actively participate in training and development opportunities.
- Ability to work flexible hours, occasional evening/weekend work as required.
We have recently published our one-year strategy, guiding us through the next phase of our development.
By joining our team, you will:
- Play a key role in shaping our future: You will support the CEO and guide the team as we enter our retender.
- Make a lasting impact: Your work will directly support unpaid Carers of all ages, enabling them to access the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them.
- Be part of a supportive, passionate team. You will work with dedicated colleagues who are committed to making a difference and supporting one another.
Employee Benefits Include:
. click apply for full job details