Introduction
The Role and Purpose of the DASS Guide
The DASS Guide
Written by Directors for Directors
A compendium of practical content on delivering effectively against the statutory requirements of the role of Director of Adult Social Services.
Introduction
How to use this Guide
A Practical Note for Directors
Core leadership and the strategic role
Context and history
Understanding the Landscape of Adult Social Care
Your statutory role as DASS
The Core Components
Managing risk
Planning Ahead in a Changing World
ADASS
Connection, Influence and Collective Leadership
Further resources
Core leadership and the strategic role
Working with People and Communities
Safeguarding and protection
Preventing Harm and Protecting People
Early intervention and prevention
Working with People to Avoid a Crisis
Co-production
Building Better Care Together
Social inclusion and wellbeing
Better Access, Good Lives
The role of unpaid carers in adult social care
Value carers as partners
The workforce and professional practice
Workforce and skills
Recruiting, Retaining and Supporting the Right People
The role of social work in adult social care
A technical, moral and relational conribution
The role of occupational therapy in adult social care
Supporting people to live safely, independently and meaningfully
The role of nurses in adult social care
A significant and often under-recognised contribution
System leadership and integration
Partnership with the NHS
Collaborating for Public Good
Commissioning for outcomes
Strategic Market Development
Technology and AI
Enabling Smart, Ethical and Human-Centred Care
Governance, Accountability and Improvement
Working with elected councillors
Accountability in a Democratic Organisation
Financial leadership
Stewarding Resources, Investing in Outcomes
CQC assurance
Preparing for and Managing the Inspection Regime
Using data and evidence
Making Decisions that Matter
Postscript
Postscript
Looking ahead: leading for the future
Appendix
Acknowledgements and Further Resources