Better Homes Manager Full Time

We are looking for an inspiring and driven individual to become our Better Homes Manager within our Children’s Services. This is a rare opportunity to play a major part in the delivery and evolution of our Valuing Care (VCARE) Programme , a ground breaking, strengths-based approach that is changing the way we understand, support, and advocate for children and young people.

In this role, you will be at the forefront of shaping high-quality, cost-effective, and life-enhancing homes for children. You’ll bring together partners across health, education, soacial care, and provider services to make sure every child is matched with a home that truly meets their needs—now and for their future.

• Lead Better Homes Panels ensuring robust decision-making and statutory compliance
• Chair Valuing Care Core Group
• Monitor performance against targets using data analysis to inform improvements
• Track and follow up panel actions and financial impact of interventions
• Oversight of tracking and following up of actions via liaison with colleagues across service areas.
• Holding regular reviews of panels to refine approach.
• Provide training to Social Workers and other professionals in using the V Care Tool
• Lead and support super users and champions of the VCare tool
• Producing high quality and strength-based pen portraits from VCARE profiles.
• Monitoring the impact of the work on improving the outcomes and life chances of children and young people.
• Prepare reports and contribute to performance monitoring for panels and boards

If you are passionate about delivering outstanding outcomes, confident in driving system-wide improvement, and motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference, we want to hear from you. Bring your vision, your leadership, and your commitment to excellence and help us build better homes, better support, and better futures for Dorset’s children and young people.

Further Information

This is a full time role at 37 hours per week, fixed term until 31 March 2028.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.

For further information regarding the role please contact Kelly Henry, Head of Good Care Provision and Safeguarding [email protected]

About Us

At Dorset Council, it’s not just about the work we do, it’s about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

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At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You Will

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.