About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

The Adult Social Care Group in DHSC leads on all matters relating to adult social care in the department. Putting social care on a sustainable footing, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, is one of the biggest challenges that our society faces. Adult Social Care (ASC) in England is a £25+ billion sector, touching the lives of millions of people. It is one of the country’s biggest public services, and is critical to a well-functioning NHS. It is also facing significant challenges, and is never far from the headlines.

The government has ambitious plans for transforming the sector, backed by billions of new funding. We are driving improvements in the capacity and capability of the workforce, how care is commissioned, the support given to unpaid carers, how technology is integrated into services, and how we ensure the quality of services. Over the next few years, the Social Care Group in DHSC will design and implement policies in all of these areas and more, defining the experience of millions of people drawing on or providing care and support.

The ASC Group is recruiting for a range of stretching Grade 7 posts across a variety of areas, including:

• Market sustainability and the effective commissioning of care
• Data, Assurance and Support, focusing on the implementation of a flagship collection of adult social care data
• Adult social care workforce reform

We are a motivated, friendly and supportive Group. Successful candidates will benefit from working on challenging questions in high-profile areas, with frequent engagement with Ministers and senior figures in the Department. The post holder will have the opportunity to work on some of the top ASC priorities of the day, and to learn and deploy a range of financial, strategic, and analytical tools and techniques. 

Diversity and inclusion are two of our biggest priorities and we recognise they are always a work in progress. We aim to establish a workforce which reflects the society we serve, and DHSC welcomes applications from all. We are especially interested to hear from gender diverse, disabled, LGBT+ candidates, care leavers and candidates from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, including Black, Asian, mixed and other ethnic groups.

We also welcome applications from people with experience of working in the social care sector. We view flexible working and inclusive leadership as essential for all our employees.

Job description

We are looking to recruit several G7 policy advisors. The roles sit across several teams in the ASC Group, including:

• Market sustainability and the effective commissioning of care

The Adult Social Care sector operates under stretched funding budgets relative to the growing demand for care from an ageing society. The charging, commissioning and markets team is responsible for overseeing the sustainability of the adult social care market, reviewing local authority commissioning and market shaping practices, including the fee rates paid for care packages and the waiting times for receiving care. This role involves developing long-term policy positions on the fees local authorities pay to providers for social care services and the waiting times individuals face for assessments and then placement in care. Further, you will actively support the delivery of a £2bn fund that supports local authorities to address shortfalls in fee rates, tackle issues with their local workforce and to improve the overall capacity of their local market. You will work alongside another Grade 7, with line management responsibility, to develop and implement policies to tackle these complex issues. You will engage regularly with local authorities, providers, across departments and other senior sector stakeholders on challenging and often divisive issues, with regular advice and communications to Ministers, Parliament and the media.

• Data, Assurance and Support Implementation

The purpose of the Data, Assurance and Support Division is to increase transparency about what and how social care is being delivered locally and drive improvements in quality. We find out what is going on, bring together the findings and take action to support organisations to deliver, enabling greater understanding and feeding this into the wider reforms.

Historically, we've lacked real-time data, impeding our ability to proactively enhance innovation and address sector challenges. While the pandemic offered valuable insights, we still have much to discover about how the system delivers care to those in need and their families. The Department’s flagship data collection of person-level data for adult social care will support our improved understanding of the care sector and is a key element underpinning the wider adult social care reforms. The G7 will lead the implementation of the data collection as well as direct engagement with local authorities across the Division’s work.

• Workforce reform upskilling and senior policy implementation lead

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in the policy design, implementation and delivery of the Adult Social Care Workforce Reform Programme, leading on policy design and implementation for upskilling – a key element of our reform ambitions. We are looking for a policy lead who is a delivery-focused self-starter to join our friendly and high performing team and contribute to the successful delivery of this major, once in a generation reform agenda.

The Government’s vision is for an Adult Social Care workforce where people can experience a rewarding career with opportunities to develop and progress, and where staff are empowered to deliver the highest quality of care. The Workforce Reform Programme is responsible for delivering this vision. You will engage regularly with Ministers as well as a diverse range of adult social care sector stakeholders and our delivery partners to develop and implement our reform plans at pace to achieve priority policy outcomes. You will play a key leadership role in the programme team, have line management responsibility and contribute to the overall delivery of our reform ambitions, influencing and advising senior stakeholders and working with commercial delivery partners and ALBs to deliver results in a high-profile and fast-paced portfolio delivery environment.

Person specification

Policy and delivery lead - Market sustainability and the effective commissioning of care

• Leadership of a fast paced, flexible team, prioritising policy engagement and advice according to shifting high profile pressures such as sector preparations for building Winter capacity or responding to the financial implications from fiscal events on the fees rates local authorities can pay to commission individual care packages
• Enabling all staff to develop and progress fairly through effective line management and performance management, taking an active interest in understanding the diverse needs of a team to create an inclusive working environment
• Lead the development of an evidence-based, long-term policy position on fees, waiting times and the funding consequences of Charging Reform implementation by working with analysts, policy teams across DHSC, local authorities and providers
• Support the team with the design and implementation of funding projects to support local authorities to create sustainable and successful social care markets, in line with their Care Act 2014 duties
• Represent the team, and DHSC, at stakeholder fora and meetings, including senior delivery boards, cross-Whitehall working groups, local government and provider meetings and conferences
• Inclusive line management of an expanding team of SEOs and HEOs, developing high performers and onboarding new starters to hit the ground running with their policy and delivery responsibilities

Data, Assurance and Support Implementation

• Leading direct engagement with local authorities on all aspects of the Division’s portfolio, gathering feedback to support continuous improvement in how we deliver our work
• Working across the Division in the planning of the next Spending Review, developing a strategic business case for the Division’s work and engaging with the central Spending Review Team to put the best case forward
• Management and reporting of the Division’s programme budgets
• Leading the delivery of a flagship data collection of person-level data for adult social care, utilising project management skills to ensure milestones and outcomes are achieved
• Reporting on progress, risks, issues and budgets for this project, ensuring senior colleagues and ministers are kept informed
• Supporting the management of a Joint Programme Management Office comprised of national local government stakeholders. The role of the Office is to support intelligence flows between DHSC and the sector to: help us target support to where it is most needed; to help shape our response to operational challenges; and to inform national policy development
• Leading other discrete projects as required
• The role includes direct line management of at least one member of staff, and matrix management across the Division, as the need arises
• The role will involve close working with analysts within the Social Care Group and a high level of engagement with staff within local authorities, some at a senior level. The post holder have the opportunity to build strong, credible relationships with senior stakeholders in central government and local government

Workforce reform- Upskilling and senior policy implementation lead

• Planning, scoping and leading the development of effective policy and delivery solutions to ensure workforce reform is delivered to the adult social care sector
• Leading on policy development and implementation of policy relating to workforce reform upskilling and training
• Building and maintaining excellent relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, ALBs and critical commercial delivery partners to achieve policy and project outcomes
• Making robust recommendations for and overseeing development of high-quality advice and briefings to the SRO, Ministers, governance boards and other senior decision-makers, and ensuring appropriate governance is in place and utilised for critical policy and/or delivery decisions
• Contributing to the development of effective business cases to secure timely funding approvals
• Owning identification, assessment and management of risks and development of contingency plans for respective policy areas
• Management of own and team’s delivery against project plans
• Working closely with analysts and other teams across the Social Care Group
• Inclusive line management of an expanding team of policy and delivery SEOs and HEOs, developing high performers and onboarding new starters to hit the ground running with their policy and delivery responsibilities
• All team members flexibly support each other across the breadth of the portfolio at critical milestones and other pinch points. All team members will also have the opportunity to look ahead and shape the longer-term vision and strategy, including to inform bids for the next Spending Review period

The key skills and experiences required for the roles are:

• Excellent communication skills internally and externally up to senior levels, providing definitive and robust advice in complex areas
• High attention to detail with the ability to lead and oversee production of high quality and accurate written papers, scoping documents, business cases, submissions, briefings and/or reports
• Experience of working across a large area / team enabling successful delivery by building relevant relationships with internal and external stakeholders, making join-ups and putting in place appropriate processes
• Ability to think strategically, making links across multiple areas to align aims and objectives of discrete areas of work
• Experience in project/programme delivery or implementation with the ability to achieve outcomes through effective planning of delivery and analysis to identify and mitigate potential risks to successful implementation
• Strong management skills, with experience which includes managing people and/or projects outside of their immediate team (matrix management)
• Experience of leading aspects of policy or solutions-design in a fast-paced and delivery-focused environment, such as a major project or programme
• Ability to work with numbers and experience of managing budgets or supporting financial processes

Desirable knowledge and experience:

• Experience or knowledge of the social care sector

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,116, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £14,341 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Sift date: expected W/C 15/01/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 29/01/2024

Interview location: By video

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Applications will be sifted on a CV and Statement of Suitability.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert. 

Please use your Statement of Suitability to (in no more than 1000 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role(s) as set out in the job advert. 

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

An initial sift based on your Statement of Suitability may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.

Candidates will be asked a presentation which will assess the behaviour: Working Together. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Further Information

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance. 

Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on either level transfer or promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.