Deputy Head of Service – Initial Contact and Response

Make a Real Difference: Lead the Future of Hospital Discharge in Hackney!

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

Our Hackney ASC Vision

We want people to achieve what matters to them, in partnership with our communities in Hackney. Where they need support, together we can find a solution that keeps them safe, well, and independent.

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for ensuring smooth transitions from hospital to home? We are looking for a Deputy Head of Service for Hospital Discharge to lead our Integrated Discharge Service (IDS) and Move On Team. This is a vital role where you will oversee quality assurance and practice, ensuring our residents receive the best possible support during their recovery journey.

You will lead a dedicated team focused on Home First and reablement pathways, working closely with Homerton Hospital and other partners. This is your chance to drive transformational improvements and foster integrated working across health and social care.

What You Bring to the Role:

– An established career in Adult Social Care at Team Manager level or above, with deep expertise in hospital discharge.

– Proven experience in leading teams through change and transformational improvements.

– Expert knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding, and reablement pathways.

– A commitment to integrated working and building strong relationships with partner agencies.

– Skill in using data and dashboards to analyze performance and drive excellence.

Qualifications and Professional Registration

You will need to be a qualified Social Worker or registered allied health professional and be registered with Social Work England.

An Enhanced DBS is required for this role

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 05 July 2026 (22.59)

Interview date: 28 July 2026

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk