At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a residential support service, ensuring high-quality, person-centred care for individuals.
- Company: Join Real Life Options, a supportive and values-driven organisation.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, health cash plan, life cover, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable individuals and a passion for person-centred care.
The predicted salary is between 27310 - 27310 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Service Lead to join our residential support service on Bishopton Road in Stockton. This is a key role where you’ll lead a service that provides the right level of support to help people achieve their individual goals and live full and productive lives as valued members of their community. Reporting to the Service Manager / Deputy Manager, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day running of a 24-hour service, ensuring safe, high-quality, person-centred support is delivered.
About the Role
- Lead the day-to-day running of a 24-hour residential service
- Ensure appropriate levels of support are delivered and staff rotas are effectively organised
- Act as a role model, ensuring services align with organisational values, CQC standards and best practice
- Support assessment of individuals and development of Person-Centred Plans
- Ensure care is delivered in a way that promotes dignity, independence and quality of life
- Oversee medication procedures and ensure safe practice
- Liaise with families, professionals and external agencies
- Support individuals with daily living, personal care, household tasks and social activities where required
- Lead staff recruitment, induction, supervision and ongoing development
- Promote effective communication through team meetings and staff engagement
- Monitor attendance, performance and training needs within the team
- Contribute to budget management and ensure accurate record-keeping
- Ensure health & safety policies are followed to maintain a safe environment
You’ll also play a key role in supporting individuals to develop independence, life skills and meaningful activities both at home and in the community.
Working Pattern
- Working within a rota including days, evenings, weekends and sleep-in duties
- Participation in a 5-weekly on-call rota
- Flexibility to provide cover during holidays, sickness and emergencies
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Demonstrable experience working with vulnerable people and/or individuals with learning disabilities
- Strong understanding of Person-Centred Care
- Ability to contribute to effective leadership of a staff team
- Knowledge of needs relating to learning disabilities, mental health, autism or complex care
- Skills in supervision, administration and person-centred planning
Desirable
- Relevant qualification (QCF Level 3 or equivalent) or willingness to work towards it
- Makaton or sign language skills
Personal Qualities
We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Professionalism and a proactive, enthusiastic approach
- Flexibility and ability to work under pressure
- Strong communication and literacy skills
- Self-motivation and commitment to high-quality support
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by our values of: Respect – Honesty – Responsibility – Excellence
Benefits and Rewards
- 28 days paid holiday (pro-rata for part-time)
- Fully accredited training to help you thrive
- Employer-contributed pension scheme
- Health Cash Plan (for contracted staff)
- £10,000 Life Cover
- Free Employee Assistance Programme (incl. counselling & financial support)
- Access to discounts via our Reward Gateway
- Financial Wellbeing Scheme
- Refer-a-Friend Bonus
- Staff Recognition Programmes
Join Us
Join Real Life Options and help people live more independent, fulfilling lives as part of a supportive and values-driven organisation.
Service Lead in North East employer: 1st Homecare
Real Life Options is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-driven work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of both staff and the individuals they serve. As a Service Lead in Stockton, you will benefit from comprehensive training, a generous holiday allowance, and a range of employee support programmes, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to person-centred care, this role is perfect for those looking to lead with purpose and compassion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Lead in North East
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at 1st Homecare.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from 1st Homecare!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like 1st Homecare, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at 1st Homecare or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Lead in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to 1st Homecare:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to 1st Homecare! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Homecare
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
