Team Leader - St Austell

Department: Homecare

Reports To: Manager

Location: Field-based (community)

Pay: Weekday £14.40, Weekend £14.92

Purpose of the Role

The Team leader is a front‑line leader responsible for supporting care workers in the community and ensuring the delivery of safe, high‑quality, person‑centred care. This role provides competency assessment, field supervision, pastoral care, and quality monitoring, acting as a critical link between the care staff and the office team. Team leaders play a key role in promoting CQC compliance, supporting service improvement, and ensuring that service users receive care that upholds dignity, independence, and wellbeing at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Field Leadership
  • Provide day‑to‑day leadership, guidance, and professional support to care workers across the community.
  • Respond promptly to care delivery issues, staff concerns, or service user related challenges during field visits.
  • Role model best practice and help staff resolve issues safely and effectively.
  • Escalate risks or concerns to the office team in line with company policy and safeguarding procedures.
  • Ensure consistency in staff practice.
• Safeguarding
  • Promote a strong safeguarding culture by supporting care workers to recognise and report concerns.
  • Immediately escalate any suspicion or evidence of abuse, neglect, or unsafe practice.
  • Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed in line with legislation and organisational policy.
• Competency Assessment
  • Conduct comprehensive competency assessments for new and existing care workers.
  • Ensure all assessments are completed within required timescales and accurately documented.
  • Identify performance gaps and provide targeted coaching or additional training support.
  • Monitor ongoing staff performance to ensure safe and compliant care delivery.
• Quality Monitoring
  • Carry out spot checks and care observations within service users’ homes.
  • Ensure care is delivered in line with care plans and organisational policies.
  • Review care notes, digital records, and documentation, providing constructive feedback to staff.
  • Report any quality or safety concerns to the Care Coordinator or Manager.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying trends or areas for development.
• Mentoring and Staff Development
  • Support new staff throughout their induction, shadowing, and probationary periods.
  • Deliver shadow shifts and practical guidance for new starters.
  • Build the confidence and competence of care workers through positive coaching and guidance.
  • Encourage ongoing professional development and promote a strong team culture.
  • Provide clear direction and feedback to maintain high standards of care.
• Medication Oversight
  • Observe and monitor staff during medication rounds to ensure safe administration practices.
  • Support care workers to follow correct documentation procedures, including accurate MAR recording.
  • Escalate medication discrepancies, errors, or concerns immediately.
• Care Delivery Support
  • Provide direct care to service users when required, particularly during emergencies or staff shortages.
  • Deliver care in line with care plans and risk assessments.
  • Ensure service user dignity, independence, and wellbeing are always respected.
• Communication & Reporting
  • Provide timely, accurate feedback to the office team following spot checks, assessments, or concerns.
  • Use digital systems (e.g. eMAR or care planning apps) to update notes and complete reports.
  • Maintain clear, professional communication between field staff and the office.
• On‑Call Responsibilities
  • Participate in the shared on‑call rota, providing out-of-hours support to staff and service users.
  • Respond to emergencies, missed visits, and safeguarding alerts outside normal working hours as required.

This job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake additional reasonable duties aligned to the role and business needs, following appropriate consultation where required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• 100% competency checks completed on schedule
• Spot checks completed in line with quality monitoring plan
• Reporting and recording errors minimised
• Positive feedback from service users and care staff
• Minimise staff leavers, target of new starter retention ≥ 90% at 90 days

Person Specification

• Essential
  • Experience working in Homecare/community care
  • Strong understanding of person‑centred care and safeguarding principles
  • Confident in supporting, coaching, and supervising staff
  • Excellent communication, observation, and organisational skills
  • Ability to complete competency assessments, spot checks, and quality audits
  • Ability to use digital care systems or willingness to learn
  • UK driving licence
• Desirable
  • Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or working towards
  • Experience mentoring or supporting care staff
  • Knowledge of medication support procedures
  • Understanding of CQC standards and quality monitoring