Senior Occupational Therapist

Interim Head – Adult Social Care Review

Brief Job Overview

Tripod Partners are recruiting an Interim Head for the London Borough of Bexley within 
Adult Social Care. This locum leadership role sits within South East London Social Services 
and will focus on undertaking a strategic review of safeguarding and quality assurance services across the directorate.

The successful candidate will lead a comprehensive review covering key areas including the Safeguarding Team, 
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), the Principal Social Worker function, 
Quality Assurance, the Client Affairs Team, and the Professional Standards Academy. 
The review will evaluate current service delivery, governance, and operational connectivity with wider Adult Social Care and 
commissioning services.

The outcome of this work will be the development of a proposed service structure to support effective delivery of safeguarding 
and quality assurance functions. This may include recommendations for a targeted restructure where appropriate, alongside 
consideration of commercial opportunities within the Client Affairs service as part of the Council’s wider transformation agenda.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a strategic review of safeguarding and quality assurance services within Adult Social Care at the London Borough of Bexley.
• Evaluate the structure and delivery of services including Safeguarding, DoLS, Principal Social Worker function, Quality Assurance, Client Affairs, and the Professional Standards Academy.
• Assess operational connectivity between safeguarding services and wider operational and commissioning teams.
• Identify areas for improvement in governance, service delivery, and operational processes.
• Develop recommendations for service improvement, including proposals for a potential restructure where appropriate.
• Explore commercial opportunities within the Client Affairs team aligned with the Council’s transformation programme.
• Prepare a comprehensive report outlining findings, recommendations, and proposed service structure.
• Present outcomes and recommendations to the Directorate Leadership Team and, where required, the Bexley Futures Board.

About You

You will be an experienced senior leader within Adult Social Care with a strong understanding of safeguarding, 
quality assurance frameworks, and governance within local authority services. You will have experience undertaking service 
reviews, evaluating operational structures, and delivering recommendations that support effective service delivery.

You will be confident working with senior stakeholders and leadership teams, demonstrating strong analytical skills and the 
ability to produce clear strategic reports within challenging timescales. Your approach will focus on delivering practical 
solutions that support service improvement and transformation across Adult Social Care.

Requirements

• Significant senior leadership experience within Adult Social Care or local authority social services.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience conducting service reviews and developing organisational or service restructure proposals.
• Ability to evaluate operational processes and identify areas for service improvement.
• Experience preparing strategic reports and presenting findings to senior leadership teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Contract & Salary

• Role: Interim Head – Adult Social Care Review
• Organisation: London Borough of Bexley
• Location: South East London Social Services
• Contract Type: Locum
• Contract Length: Initial 12-week review project (ongoing contract)
• Working Hours: 36 hours per week
• Rate: £500 per day (umbrella)

How to Apply

If you are a senior Adult Social Care leader with experience delivering strategic service reviews within local authorities, 
Tripod Partners would welcome your application for this Interim Head role with the London Borough of Bexley.

To apply for this Interim Head position, apply using the form on the page.

Code:  U. OR26192. 027003.B19979