Being a director of adult social services (DASS) is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles in local government.
Taking account of the challenges and recommendations of the Messenger/Pollard review of health and social care leadership, the Hewitt Review of Integrated Care Systems and the recent reform ambitions outlined through publications such as ‘Putting People at the Heart of Care’ (DHSC, 2021) and ‘Time to Act – roadmap to reform adult social care in England’ (ADASS, 2023), we have brought together this resource so that all new directors have a clear guide as to the most important aspects of the role.
Insights are also drawn from ‘Leading for Longer: factors impacting on the turnover of Directors of Children’s Services’.
It is written by directors for directors and represents a curation of information, advice and suggested good practice.
The contributors’ experience represents more than 100 years of senior leadership in adult social care and gives new directors unparalleled insight and knowledge of what they can improve, develop and achieve.
In a guide of this sort, we can only set out some broad insights and approaches. This is why we have highlighted further resources and reading for you to read. We also hope that as it is a living document you will one day offer your own knowledge and experience to improve it further.