At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver high-quality support for adults with learning disabilities.
- Company: Affinity Trust, a passionate organisation focused on person-centred support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible pay access, health benefits, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and positive outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your leadership career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Deputy Support Manager Location: Headington & Kidlington
Salary: £30,653.44 per annum
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Requirement: Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
Requirement: Experience supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs. Must live within 30 minutes of Headington
Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Help Shape Outstanding, High-Quality Support
At Affinity Trust, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a life that is meaningful, fulfilling and shaped by their own aspirations. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Deputy Support Manager to join our team in Headington & Kidlington and play an exciting key role in delivering high-quality support for adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an established senior support professional who is ready to take the next step in their leadership career with an organisation that is passionate about person-centred support, continuous improvement and positive outcomes.
About the Role
As Deputy Support Manager, you will work alongside the Support Manager to champion the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality support. You will help inspire and develop teams, maintain excellent standards of care, and create an environment where the people we support are empowered to thrive.
You will take a proactive approach to building positive relationships with families, professionals, colleagues and wider stakeholders, while ensuring the voices of the people we support remain at the centre of decision-making. This is a dynamic and rewarding role that blends operational leadership with hands-on support, offering the chance to make a visible difference every day. Flexibility is required, including participation in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the day-to-day delivery of high-quality, person-centred support.
- Promote positive outcomes and meaningful opportunities for the people we support.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with families, professionals and partner agencies.
- Support, coach and motivate teams to deliver outstanding support.
- Lead by example and provide direct support where required.
- Deputise for the Support Manager in their absence.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of high-quality support and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Uphold high standards of quality, compliance and safeguarding.
About You
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs.
- Previous experience in a senior support, team leader or supervisory role within social care.
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- A commitment to person-centred practice and delivering high-quality support.
- The ability to build positive and collaborative working relationships.
- A flexible and proactive approach to work.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
What We Offer
In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Access to the Stream app, providing flexible access to earned pay, wellbeing support, discounts and cashback.
- Reimbursement of Blue Light Card membership, giving access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts.
- A fully funded Simply Health cash plan, including access to a 24-hour GP service, dental and optical support, and additional healthcare benefits.
- Enrolment into our Scottish Widows pension scheme and Life Assurance programme.
- Fully funded enhanced DBS check.
- Ongoing learning, development and career progression opportunities.
Join Us Affinity Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident employer. We guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role. If you require any support during the recruitment process or would like recruitment information in an alternative format, please contact.
Deputy Support Manager - Headington in Oxford employer: Affinity Trust
Affinity Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities. Located in the beautiful area of Wells/Street, Somerset, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, including NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care. Our commitment to staff well-being is reflected in our attractive benefits package, which includes a subsidised health plan and pension scheme, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about empowering others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Support Manager - Headington in Oxford
✨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 Affinity Trust.
✨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 Affinity Trust!
✨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 Affinity Trust, 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 Affinity Trust 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 Deputy Support Manager - Headington in Oxford
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 Affinity Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Affinity Trust! 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 Affinity Trust
✨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.
