Head of Care - Children's Services in Manchester

Head of Care - Children's Services in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 40000 - 50000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Acqhired

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage supported living services for individuals with complex care needs.
  • Company: Dynamic organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care and support.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Join a team that values inclusivity, personal growth, and positive outcomes.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs.
  • Qualifications: Experience in care management and a passion for supporting vulnerable individuals.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.

The Service Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational leadership and management of supported living services delivering care and support to individuals with:

  • Learning Disabilities (LD)
  • Mental Health (MH) needs
  • Complex Care requirements
  • Autism and behaviours that may challenge

The postholder will ensure high-quality, person-centred support is delivered in line with regulatory requirements, organisational values, and best practice standards. The Service Manager will lead teams to achieve positive outcomes for people supported while ensuring compliance, safeguarding, staffing stability, financial performance, and continuous service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Operational Management
    • Oversee the daily running of supported living services.
    • Ensure safe, effective, and person-centred support delivery.
    • Maintain full compliance with CQC regulations and internal policies.
    • Ensure support plans and risk assessments are accurate and regularly reviewed.
    • Monitor occupancy, staffing levels, and service performance.
    • Lead service improvement plans where required.
  • Leadership & Team Management
    • Recruit, manage, supervise, and develop support staff and team leaders.
    • Conduct regular supervisions, appraisals, and competency assessments.
    • Promote a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture.
    • Manage staffing rotas and agency usage effectively.
    • Support workforce retention and staff wellbeing initiatives.
    • Address performance, conduct, and capability matters appropriately.
  • Quality & Compliance
    • Ensure services meet and exceed CQC standards.
    • Lead audits, inspections, and quality assurance processes.
    • Maintain accurate service documentation and records.
    • Oversee incident reporting, investigations, and lessons learned processes.
    • Ensure medication management systems are compliant and safe.
    • Monitor and improve quality outcomes across services.
  • Safeguarding & Risk Management
    • Act as safeguarding lead within services.
    • Ensure all safeguarding concerns are managed appropriately and escalated where necessary.
    • Promote positive behaviour support approaches.
    • Ensure risks are identified, assessed, and managed effectively.
    • Support safe management of individuals with complex behaviours or mental health needs.
  • Person-Centred Care
    • Promote independence, choice, dignity, and inclusion.
    • Ensure individuals are actively involved in support planning and decision-making.
    • Support individuals to achieve personal goals and positive outcomes.
    • Build strong relationships with families, advocates, professionals, and commissioners.
  • Financial Responsibilities
    • Manage service budgets and authorised expenditure.
    • Monitor staffing costs and agency spend.
    • Support achievement of occupancy and financial targets.
    • Ensure efficient use of resources across services.
  • Partnership Working
    • Develop effective relationships with:
      • Local Authorities
      • NHS teams
      • Commissioners
      • Social Workers
      • Families and advocates
      • Community professionals
    • Attend MDT meetings, reviews, and safeguarding meetings where required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • CQC compliance outcomes
  • Staff retention and reduced agency usage
  • Service user outcomes and engagement
  • Safeguarding and incident trends
  • Budget performance
  • Quality audit scores
  • Occupancy and referral conversion
  • Training compliance
  • Medication compliance rates

Person Specification

Essential Experience

  • Experience managing supported living or residential care services.
  • Experience supporting individuals with:
    • Learning Disabilities
    • Mental Health needs
    • Complex Care
    • Autism and behaviours that challenge
  • Experience leading and managing teams within regulated care environments.
  • Experience with safeguarding and risk management.
  • Understanding of CQC regulatory requirements.

Essential Knowledge

  • Health & Social Care regulations
  • CQC Fundamental Standards
  • Safeguarding adults legislation
  • Mental Capacity Act and DoLS
  • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
  • Medication management
  • Care planning and risk assessment

Essential Skills

  • Leadership and people management
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Problem-solving and decision-making
  • Organisational and time management
  • Report writing and documentation
  • Conflict management
  • Performance management
  • IT and care management systems

Qualifications

  • NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care (or willingness to work towards)
  • Level 3 Health & Social Care qualification minimum
  • Full UK driving licence desirable

Head of Care - Children's Services in Manchester employer: Acqhired

As a leading provider of supported living services for individuals with complex care needs, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Our commitment to high-quality, person-centred care is matched by our dedication to staff development, offering comprehensive training and leadership opportunities to ensure our team members thrive in their roles. Located in a vibrant community, we provide a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative culture that values every contribution.

Acqhired

Contact Detail:

Acqhired Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Care - Children's Services in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the care sector, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to person-centred care and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. We want to see your passion for supporting individuals with complex needs!

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved service delivery in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to foster a positive culture will set you apart from other candidates.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Care - Children's Services in Manchester

Operational Management
CQC Compliance
Leadership and People Management
Safeguarding and Risk Management
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
Care Planning and Risk Assessment
Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Care role. Highlight your experience with learning disabilities, mental health, and complex care, as well as your leadership skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our values and the specific needs of the role.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've improved service delivery or led teams effectively. This helps us understand the impact you've made in previous roles and how you can contribute to our mission.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our company there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Acqhired

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of CQC regulations and the specific needs of individuals with learning disabilities, mental health issues, and complex care requirements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're well-prepared and serious about the role.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in regulated care environments. Think about times when you've improved service delivery or managed staff effectively, as these experiences will be crucial for the Service Manager position.

Demonstrate Person-Centred Care

Be ready to discuss how you promote independence and dignity for individuals in care. Share specific strategies you've used to involve service users in their support planning and decision-making processes, as this aligns perfectly with the role's focus on person-centred care.

Prepare Questions

Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team's culture, ongoing training opportunities, or how the organisation measures success in service delivery. It shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.