Assistant Director - Lifelong Services - Disabilities
| Posting date: | 20 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £90,363 to £101,581 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 February 2026 |
| Location: | Reigate, Surrey, RH2 8EF |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Surrey County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | SCC/TP/287909/4418_1768920417 |
Summary
The starting salary for this role is £90,363 per annum, working 36 hours per week.
Are you passionate about making a difference for adults with disabilities and neurodiversity? Do you have the vision and leadership to drive transformation and deliver outstanding outcomes for Surrey's residents?
We are seeking an exceptional leader to become our Assistant Director - Lifelong Services - Disabilities. This is a pivotal role, leading specialist teams to provide dedicated support for individuals with learning disabilities and neurodiversity and overseeing county-wide transitions services to ensure young people and their families experience the highest quality outcomes.
You will lead the Supported Independent Living services, promote a compelling case for raising professional expectations and work collaboratively across the Council and with partners to deliver great services for residents.
About Us
The Adults, Wellbeing & Health Partnerships directorate is on a significant and ambitious transformation programme, with a focus on independence, prevention and early intervention strategies, tackling inequalities and improving access to services to ensure that no-one is left behind.
You'll be part of a forward-thinking leadership team, shaping the future of services for our residents. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a real difference.
About the Role
As the Assistant Director, you will lead and manage the Learning Disability and Autism teams, Transition Team and in house Supported Independent Living services. You will be responsible for delivering assessments and interventions that promote independence and improve outcomes for individuals and their families or carers.
A key part of the role is to drive transformation from traditional institutional care to community-based services that reflect people's aspirations for ordinary lives and your role will be to work with commissioning colleagues to ensure services promote independence and build community capacity, ensuring access to universal services and employment.
Collaboration is central to the role, as you will work closely with colleagues in the Children, Families, and Lifelong Learning Directorate, as well as the NHS and other Health partners. Efficient management of budgets and resources is essential, ensuring quality, compliance and value for money. Finally, you will champion equality, diversity and inclusion, providing leadership on equality issues throughout the service.
The contractual base for this role is the Council's headquarters at Woodhatch Place in Reigate, however travel around the County for meetings and visiting teams is required. Agile working is supported, meaning you can work however, whenever, and wherever suits you best around requirements to physically attend a Surrey location.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- A degree-level or equivalent qualification, with management experience in a complex business environment.
- Membership of an appropriate professional body or evidence of continuing professional development.
- Extensive professional knowledge of social care and health service provision for adults, including the impacts of disability or autism.
- A complete understanding of the statutory framework for health and social care, relevant legislation, best practice and research.
- Proven ability to lead transformational change, manage budgets and deliver high-quality services.
- Excellent communication, analytical and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop teams.
If you are ready to take the next step in your leadership career and share our ambition for excellence in adult social care, we would love to hear from you.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Key Dates
- The job advert closes at 23:59 on 08/02/2026.
- Shortlisting is planned for the week commencing 09/02/2026.
- Interview dates to be confirmed.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.