Fixed term until 31 March 2025 (May be extendable dependent on funding) About us The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government. We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems. We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector. The Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services are Partners in Care and Health (PCH) working with well-respected organisations. PCH helps councils to improve the way they deliver adult social care and public health services and helps Government understand the challenges faced by the sector. The programme is a trusted network for developing and sharing best practice, developing tools and techniques, providing support and building connections. It is funded by Government and offered to councils without charge. https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/partners-care-and-health About ADASS The Association of Directors of Adult Services (ADASS) exists to represent and support its membership of DASSs and their management teams. ADASS is also a charity which gives a national voice for social care. About the role This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who would like to experience working in a national role and bring their council experience and expertise to bear on the development of support for colleagues in councils across England. We work on many projects, and whilst the initial focus of this post is to support Mental Health projects, you may be called upon to work across other workstreams, dependent on requirements. Our aim is to support Directors of Adult Social Services, their colleagues and their partners in the delivery of high quality, safe and effective adult mental health support ensuring it is person-led and maximises good outcomes for individuals. We are seeking an adviser to support the sector-led improvement work in relation to mental health services. The improvement offer for the year is focused on the following areas: Improving data & insight to provide assurance in relation to adult social care mental health services Delivering an effective and responsive Peer Challenge offer focusing on community mental health transformation and performance Developing capacity and capability to undertake person-centred planning and support Supporting the embedding of the Approved Mental Health Professional National Standards. You will also work actively to identify and develop appropriate sector-led support offers that draw on insight and learning through the current work and feedback. As an Advisor within the Working with People Team you will work closely with others across the Partners in Care and Health programme as we develop new ways of working and our collective approach. The postholder can choose if they wish to undertake this role as home-based or office-based (Westminster). There will be a need to for the post holder to occasionally travel to London or elsewhere in England. About you You will bring the understanding, experience and drive necessary to make a significant impact in the delivery and oversight of sector-led improvement work. Experience of adult social care within local government is essential. You will ideally have experience or knowledge of the adult social care mental health services. You will, however, be supported by colleagues internally and from other organisations in this role, including the Lead Care and Health Improvement Advisor and the Co-Chairs of the ADASS Mental Health Network. You will have strong relationship and influencing skills, the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stake holders. You will be able to manage a diverse workload and be comfortable working independently, with guidance. You will also have the skills and attributes necessary to ensure effective delivery through strong project management and provision of support to commissioned partners. You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage. To apply If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria of the role before the closing date. We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria: Experience and knowledge of adult social care mental health. An appreciation of the role of sector-led improvement Ability to build relationships and demonstrate impact and influence across the sector. Ability to work to tight timescales. Experience of working to a recognised Programme Management approach If you would like more information about this role, please contact hilary.paxtonlocal.gov.uk We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates applications which includes names. Closing Date: 5pm, 21 November 2024 Interview Date: Week commencing 2 December 2024 At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a Disability Confident Leader. If you are require an reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via Recruitmentlocal.gov.uk Our benefits LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years service and to 33 days after five years service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts). Flexible & agile working office-based staff are required to work in the LGA s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week. Future development face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants. Family friendly policies For more of LGA s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga Our values & behaviours Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand: how we work with each other how we work with our members and stakeholders our expectations for ourselves and each other Our values are: Inclusive - We ensure that our work is inclusive of all voices. Ambitious - We are ambitious for councils and their communities and are committed to striving for excellence in all that we do to support our colleagues, our membership and the sector to deliver the best possible outcomes. Collaborative - We bring together the expertise and skills needed, working as one team.