Head of Service

Package Description

The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.

Join Us as a Head of Service

The National Autistic Society helps create a world that works for autistic people, and we have a rewarding opportunity for a Head of Service covering the South East region. If you share our values and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit our website to find out more about who we are: https://www.autism.org.uk/

About the Service

Our Adult Services in the South East region provide a range of person-centred support to autistic adults and people with learning disabilities, enabling them to live fulfilling, independent lives within their communities. Services are delivered across multiple locations, led by experienced managers and multidisciplinary teams, with a strong focus on inclusion, dignity, and high-quality care.

About the Role

As Head of Adult Services (South East), you will be a senior leader with full strategic and operational responsibility for services across the region. Working through Service Managers, you will ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality service delivery, while driving continuous improvement and innovation. You will translate national strategy into local delivery, lead on risk, governance, and safeguarding, and foster a culture of inclusion, accountability, and excellence. This is a highly autonomous role requiring visible leadership, strong decision-making, and a hands-on approach when needed.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across adult services in the region
• Ensure services meet regulatory requirements, including CQC standards and safeguarding expectations
• Lead and support Service Managers and teams to deliver consistent, high-quality care
• Oversee performance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement activity

What We’re Looking For

• Significant senior leadership experience in adult social care, particularly autism and/or learning disabilities
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary teams and manage service performance
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks, safeguarding, and quality standards
• Experience in financial management, including budgeting and cost control

Click here for the Job Description

This advert is for a full-time position, at 35 hours per week.

What we can offer you

• Pension– Auto-enrolled pension scheme.
• Annual Leave– 33 days (including public holidays). You can buy or sell leave each year.
• Training– Great induction and training, including autism training.
• Discounts– Online staff discount scheme for shopping, cycling, tech, and more (e.g., Asda, Tesco, Nike, Apple).
• Healthcare– Cash plan for permanent staff.
• Life Assurance– 2x your base salary.
• Flexible Benefits– Options like private health, dental insurance, holiday trading, enhanced pension.
• Support– 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme and counselling.
• Mindfulness– Free Headspace app for you and up to 3 family/friends.
• Blue Light Card– Eligibility for discounts.
• Refer a Friend– Get £200 when you refer someone.

About our application process

When you write your supporting statement

• Look at the job description and person specification.
• Tell us how your skills and experience match the role.
• Give examples if you can.

We might close this job advert early if we get lots of suitable applications.

To protect our autistic adults at the National Autistic Society, all staff are required to have a criminal background check. Possession of an Enhanced DBS Check either on the Update Service or conducted within the last 12 months would be preferable but not essential.

Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from autistic people.

We are an equal opportunities employer and part of the Disability Confident Employer scheme.

Important Information

Agencies need not apply.

Please note the National Autistic Society are unable to provide sponsorship for Visas.

The National Autistic Society may use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist our recruitment team with reviewing applications for this role. All application decisions are made by people and are not determined automatically by AI.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.