Lead with Purpose. Build on Excellence. Shape the Future of Health and Wellbeing in Sefton.  

Sefton Council is proud to be recognised as one of the top-performing Adult Social Care services in the Northwest, having recently received a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Inspectors praised our staff as “knowledgeable, compassionate and caring” and highlighted our strong culture of dignity, respect, and co-production.  

We are now seeking an exceptional and visionary leader to take on the pivotal role of Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Health & Wellbeing due to retirement of the current postholder. This is more than a senior leadership position—it’s a unique opportunity to build on success, champion integration, and make a lasting impact on the lives of over 280,000 residents across our vibrant and diverse borough.  

As the statutory Director of Adult Social Services (DASS), you will lead the strategic direction and delivery of Adult Social Care, All-Age Commissioning, and Public Health. You’ll be at the heart of system-wide collaboration, working closely with the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS partners, and a wide range of stakeholders to shape a healthier, more equitable future for Sefton.  

Why Sefton?  

• A borough with 22 miles of stunning coastline, rich heritage, and strong community spirit.  

• A place where partnerships thrive—praised by the CQC for our effective collaboration with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB and our place-based approach to joined-up care.   

• A council committed to inclusive growth, financial sustainability, and population health improvement.  

• A council committed to helping people live independently for longer, reshaping the care market, and reducing health inequalities.  

What You’ll Lead  

• Adult Social Care services, ensuring safeguarding, independence, and dignity for all.  

• All-Age Integrated Commissioning, aligning with NHS Place functions.  

• Public Health strategy and delivery, tackling inequalities and promoting wellbeing.  

• Strategic partnerships across health, care, and community sectors.  

• A culture of innovation, compassion, and high performance.  

What We’re Looking For  

• A compassionate, inclusive leader with a strong values base.  

• Deep knowledge of the health, care, and local government landscape.  

• A proven track record of transformational leadership, service improvement, and system integration.  

• Experience working within complex, regulated environments and across political and organisational boundaries.  

• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.  

Key Requirements  

• Professional social work qualification.  

• Degree or master’s level qualification (or equivalent experience).  

• Substantial senior leadership experience in health and/or social care.  

• Expertise in commissioning, partnership working, and financial management.  

Recent Highlights  

• Over 7,000 residents supported by Adult Social Care services.  

• CQC praised our clear vision, effective partnerships, and innovative conversational model that delivers an “overwhelmingly positive experience.”  

• Staff described as valued and motivated, with a strong sense of purpose and pride in their work.  

• A foundation of success to build on—with a shared ambition to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating in the future.  

This is your chance to lead with purpose, influence regional and national agendas, and help shape a healthier, more connected Sefton. If you’re ready to take on this high-profile, high-impact role, we’d love to hear from you.  

Important Dates:   

Wednesday 23rd July 2025 - Technical Interview  

Friday 25th July – Assessment Day which will include a stakeholder panel  

Monday 28th July 2025 – Final Interview   

Apply now to lead Sefton’s next chapter.  

For an informal discussion with Phil Porter, Chief Executive, Sefton Council, please contact Deborah Butcher, Executive Director Adult Social Care Health and Wellbeing – deborah.butcher@Sefton.gov.uk  

How to apply:  

Complete and return the attached declaration form along with your CV and supporting statement to recruitment@sefton.gov.uk   

Note:   CV (no more than 3 sides of A4) & Supporting Statement (no more than 3 sides of A4)  

Equal Opportunities

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.