Barbara Spence

A motivated and experienced adult social care leader with over 30 years' post-qualifying experience across social work, safeguarding, mental health, hospital discharge, community services, education and service management. I bring a calm, emotionally intelligent and systems-aware approach to leadership, combining strategic thinking, operational oversight, change management and sound professional judgement to improve services and deliver safe, sustainable outcomes. I use consultation, co-production, reflective supervision, frontline insight and performance information to shape priorities, influence service development and support continuous improvement.

I understand change as part of a wider system, recognising how people, practice, culture, resources and partnerships interact, and I work to build shared ownership, manage transition and embed improvements that make a practical difference. I apply key legislative frameworks, including the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983/2007, Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, Children Act 1989/2004 and safeguarding duties, including Making Safeguarding Personal. My leadership style is inclusive, values-led and adaptable, drawing on transformational, coaching, collaborative, situational and agile approaches to provide clear direction, empower staff and promote accountable, reflective practice.

Mental Health Team Manager

(2023-07)

Provide operational leadership and contribute to strategic development within adult social care and mental health services. Respond to urgent operational issues, escalate concerns appropriately and maintain professional standards in complex practice environments.

• Lead complex safeguarding, risk management and secure hospital discharge work, including structured risk assessment and task analysis.
• Translate Council vision, values and service objectives into clear operational delivery.
• Promote collaborative, accountable, strengths-based and outcome-focused team practice.
• Support people to access information, care, support and suitable accommodation options that promote independence and choice.
• Ensure high-quality adult social care delivery through service planning, quality assurance and performance reporting. Use consultation, evidence, performance data and partner feedback to develop and review sustainable models of care.
• Provide day-to-day HR and workforce management, including supervision, appraisal, performance support, sickness absence management, workforce planning and staff wellbeing. Manage resources, forecasting and financial planning within the area of responsibility. Work with internal and external partners to improve coordinated, person-centred care and outcomes.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and service redesign, applying Lean and transformation principles to review pathways, reduce duplication, strengthen governance and improve service flow.

Interim Service Manager, Adult Care & Wellbeing

(2022-06 - 2023-07)

• Led service-area restructuring, portfolio projects and corporate initiatives aligned with national targets and priorities.
• Developed policy, procedures and standards to support excellent services and inform future strategy and resource planning.
• Represented the service in partnership work with health, education, police, voluntary and community sector colleagues.
• Managed staff deployment, HR processes, absence management and performance support in line with local authority procedures, national standards and HR advice.
• Prepared services for inspections and reviews, including ASCOF, CQC and other inspection regimes.

Interim Service Manager Community Hospital Team

(2021-02 - 2022-06)

Provided service management within hospital and out-of-hours services, acting as a bridge between strategic leadership and frontline operational delivery. Worked within a multi-disciplinary team.

CSS Social Work Qualification - Social Work (1992)

A Level - Psychology (1994)

Counselling Level 3 - Counselling (1995)

Counselling Level 4 - Counselling (1996)

Certificate in Education - Teaching Social Care (2002)