Director of Admissions and Service Development

Type: Permanent, Hybrid

Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Holidays: 25 days (plus bank holidays), increasing with length of service

Location: Cheadle Hulme, SK8 6RQ

About Seashell Trust

Seashell is a charity that delivers education, health and care services to children and young adults with complex needs. As a non-maintained provision, we work independently from Local Authorities who place and commission us directly. We manage relationships with 30- 40 local authorities at any one time. Through our Ofsted and CQC registered services, we strive to provide outstanding education, health and care for children and young adults with low incidence, high needs up to the age of 25.

Within our field of specialist expertise, Seashell exists today as one of the oldest, independent charities in the UK, which has now been educating and caring for children and adults with complex needs for over 200 years.

Role summary

The Director of Admissions and Service Development (DASD) will play a pivotal role in shaping our admissions processes and service offer through utilising deep subject matter expertise of the needs & landscape for CYA with complex needs. Seashell’s national and regional networks will be strengthened and utilised through the DASD leadership of our ‘Complex Needs Mapping’ programme of work. They will promote Seashell’s role as a strategic partner, working in collaboration with commissioners and service providers to ensure CYA are supported by the right services, at the right time to achieve optimum outcomes whilst making best use of public funds.

This senior leadership position is responsible for the oversight and enhancement of our admissions process providing a single ‘front door’ into Seashell. The postholder will lead on Service Development initiatives to ensure they align with our organisational goals and the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Working with the COO & Senior Leadership Operations Team colleagues, the DASD will define the admissions criteria to enable and support the best outcomes for the CYA and families who we support. Optimising occupancy across all service areas through efficient and effective admission, transfer and discharge processes, leadership and operational direction of the multi-disciplinary admissions function will be a key responsibility.

In addition, you will lead on development of Seashell’s ‘Knowledge Hub’ – our new external training, advisory and resource offer to professionals and practitioners to build their knowledge and skills in supporting young people with complex needs within their current settings and areas.

Developing strong links with commissioners and other external stakeholders, you will ensure a positive external profile of the services that Seashell offers, seeking opportunities for collaborative working and strategic opportunities for service developments.

What we’re looking for

Leadership

·      Ability to lead with integrity using excellent interpersonal skills to empower teams to deliver excellence.

·      Commercial awareness informing design of services and admissions criteria which meets the needs of the cohort now and into the future.

Communication 

·      Highly effective communication skills to influence and persuade across a range of diverse and senior stakeholders.

·      Ability to make the complex simple, to persuade and influence.

·      Ability to involve children and young adults and their families, ensuring their views inform and shape strategic planning.

Solutions orientated 

·      Identification and development of strategic solutions to meet the needs of our current and future cohorts.

·      Ability to work within rapidly changing and ambiguous environments using innovative approaches.

·      A clear vision for what good looks like and ability to adapt this vision to business goals and changing business challenges.

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong leadership skills including excellent communication, interpersonal skills and commercial awareness.
• Strategic thinker who exhibits and delivers their vision through strong communication, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Evidence of leading service improvement and improving efficiencies.
• Ability to partner, building confidence and credibility at senior levels, including the ability to distil and communicate complex information, to persuade and influence.
• Understanding of and ability to build strong customer relations and enhance loyalty and retention.

·      A relevant degree in education, health, social care, or a related field.

Desirable

• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role within the third sector, with a focus on education, health or social care services.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements in the sector (Ofsted, CQC, clinical and corporate governance and safeguarding).
• In depth knowledge of Social Care, Education and Health commissioning.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re excited by the possibility of joining us, please submit a CV outlining your experience and areas of special interest, we will also provide a job pack and full job description for you to digest ahead of the close date.

We’d also welcome the opportunity for you to visit Seashell Trust before applying.

Advert close date: 5pm on Wednesday 12th March 2025

1st stage calls: Thursday 20th March

2nd stage interviews: Thursday 27th March and Tuesday 1st April

Our Commitment to You

We value diversity and are committed to equal opportunities. Disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria on the person specification will be guaranteed an interview.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome all applications.

This charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Our vision is for the children and young people in our care to be safe, happy and to achieve the best possible outcomes so that they are valued and valuable members of their communities

Seashell is mid transformation!

You would be stepping into your role during a period of significant change and growth at Seashell Trust. If you’re ready to contribute your skills, energy, and passion to our mission, we’d love to hear from you!

Our site is continuously growing and developing: we’re currently undergoing works to build a brand-new Royal College Manchester, so the demands of our site are ever-changing.

We’re looking for someone to be a Seashell Leader, committed to ensuring the continuous development of our site, systems and workforce to support the children and young people in our care and beyond.