At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in delivering outstanding mental health care and support.
- Company: Join Active Pathways, a leading provider of recovery-focused mental health services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly team with ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career in mental health.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health support and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 16.5 - 16.5 £ per hour.
A genuine first step into care management, this role offers hands-on operational leadership and clear progression toward senior service management.
Location: Millcroft House, Seacroft, Leeds
Service Type: Residential Rehabilitation Service
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £16.50 per hour / £31,590 per annum
Are you an experienced mental health professional ready to step into a true leadership role? Do you thrive when guiding others, shaping service quality, and bringing out the best in your team? We’re looking for a Mental Health Services Team Leader to take on a pivotal leadership position at Millcroft House in Seacroft supporting our Registered Manager and Deputy Manager in the management and mentorship of our Senior Support Workers and delivery of outstanding person-centred care in our modern, purpose-built residential service offering step-down rehabilitation for men with complex and enduring mental health needs.
This role is ideal for:
- A current Team Leader looking for a fresh challenge
- A highly experienced Senior Support Worker ready to step into their first structured and well-supported management role
If you’re passionate about recovery-focused care and confident in leading people, processes, and practice — this is your opportunity to make a real difference.
About the Role
As Operations Team Leader, you will be a key part of the leadership team, working closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager to ensure the service runs safely, smoothly, and in line with CQC standards. Your leadership will inspire our existing team of Senior Support Workers whilst directly shaping our culture, the quality of support we deliver, and the progression of both staff and residents. This is not a Senior Support Worker post. This is a hands-on management role, combining people leadership with operational responsibility. While you’ll still be part of the day-to-day support environment, the core focus is on leading the team, managing quality, and taking accountability for the running of the service. If you’re ready to step up into a role where your leadership truly matters — this is it.
Shift Pattern
This full-time post operates on a four-week rolling rota, with varied day shifts across Monday-Friday and one Saturday per month. Flexibility is essential to meet service needs, although we are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments.
Week 1: Mon-Wed 9am-5pm, Fri 6am-2pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Weeks 2 & 3: Mon-Tues 9am-5pm, Wed 2pm-10pm, Thurs-Fri 9am-5pm
Week 4: Mon-Tues 9am-5pm, Wed 7am-3pm, Thurs 12pm-8pm, Fri 9am-5pm
The Best Bits
- Statutory annual leave, including bank holidays + a further 2 days
- Additional days annual leave awarded at 2, 3, and 5 years’ service
- Workplace pension scheme
- Option to purchase up to 5 days additional leave per year
- Refer a Friend scheme - earn up to £500 per referral
- Supportive and friendly team environment with ongoing training and development
- Free Blue Light Card membership
- Free enhanced DBS checks, on-site parking, and lunch (for site-based roles)
- Health Cash Plan - covers dental, optical, virtual GP, counselling, and includes discounted gym membership
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strong day-to-day leadership, mentoring, and supervision to your team
- Support Senior Support Workers in their development, ensuring clear delegation and accountability
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and recovery-focused culture across the service
- Ensure care delivery meets CQC standards, safeguarding responsibilities, and clinical governance
- Lead on care plan quality, risk management, and accurate documentation
- Oversee incident reporting, infection control, and overall service safety
- Support rota planning, staffing coordination, and budgetary oversight
- Handle aspects of service user finances and petty cash in line with policy
- Assist in recruitment, induction, training, appraisals, and absence management
- Play a key role in assessing referrals and attending MDT reviews
- Build strong relationships with families, clinicians, external agencies, and professionals
- Step up for management cover when required and contribute to the on-call rota
Requirements
- Proven experience supporting people with complex mental health needs
- Confident leadership abilities: mentoring, supervising, motivating, and challenging when required
- Knowledge of CQC requirements, safeguarding, audits, and quality assurance
- A proactive, recovery-focused mindset
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively
About Us
Active Pathways Ltd has been providing exceptional care across Lancashire and Yorkshire for over 20 years. As a Mental Health, Learning Disability, and Rehabilitation provider, we focus on recovery-focused care for adults aged 18+. With a commitment to creating inspiring environments, we pride ourselves on our people-first culture and strong set of values. Several of our services have received a CQC rating of OUTSTANDING, and we are proud Investors in People Gold award holders. Active Pathways Ltd is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and empower each individual and support diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences within our workforce. We welcome applications from diverse candidates and provide support during our recruitment processes to enable all applicants to perform at their best.
Operations Team Leader - Mental Health Service in Leeds employer: Active Pathways
Active Pathways Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and friendly team environment at Millcroft House in Seacroft, Leeds. With a strong commitment to employee growth through ongoing training and development, as well as a range of benefits including additional annual leave, a workplace pension scheme, and health cash plans, we prioritise the well-being of our staff. Join us in making a meaningful impact in mental health care while enjoying a culture that values diversity and empowers individuals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Team Leader - Mental Health Service in Leeds
✨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 Active Pathways.
✨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 Active Pathways!
✨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 Active Pathways, 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 Active Pathways 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 Operations Team Leader - Mental Health Service in Leeds
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 Active Pathways:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Active Pathways! 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 Active Pathways
✨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.
