Head of Care in London

Head of Care in London

London Full-Time 38025 - 46475 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
All The Top Bananas

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and enhance care operations across supported living, home care, and complex care services.
  • Company: Join Unicare, a nurse-led provider dedicated to quality care for individuals with complex needs.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a senior role with competitive benefits, including pension, annual leave, and car allowance.
  • Other info: Be part of a growing organisation where your decisions truly matter.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping the future of care services.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in leading supported living services and strong knowledge of CQC regulations.

The predicted salary is between 38025 - 46475 £ per year.

We are looking for a Head of Care who has run supported living services for people whose needs are genuinely complex and who knows the difference between a service that looks compliant on paper and one that is actually good.

Unicare is a CQC-registered, nurse-led provider operating across Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire and South London.

We support adults with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs and behaviours that others find challenging, across nine supported living services, a community outreach and home care operation, SEND services, and a complex care division delivering nurse-delegated interventions in peoples own homes.

Many of the people we support came to us after placements elsewhere broke down.

Holding those placements is what we are for, and it depends on the quality of our Registered Managers and the teams beneath them.

That is what this role is really about.

You will hold operational and quality accountability across all three arms of the care business, with the Registered Managers, the Area Manager and the Care Managers reporting to you.

You will have Co-CEOs above you who are close to the business, clinical support from a Clinical Director, Clinical Lead and Advanced Practitioner, a separate housing and facilities function, and an in-house training team.

What we need you to bring is grip.

What you will do Lead the care operation across supported living, home care and complex care, with the Registered Managers, Area Manager and Care Managers reporting to you.

Own the standard of care and be able to evidence it, not merely assert it.

Drive CQC performance across our registered locations, including readiness for the move to sector-specific assessment frameworks.

Develop your Registered Managers into leaders who can run their services without needing rescuing.

Reduce restrictive practice year on year, and make sure every restriction that remains is lawful, planned, recorded and reviewed.

Embed positive behaviour support and trauma-informed practice as the way we work, not as training topics.

Hold the numbers: occupancy, agency usage, rota efficiency, retention and service-level financial performance.

Mobilise new services as the portfolio grows, and stabilise any service that is not where it should be.

Be the credible senior voice with commissioners, local authorities, ICBs, safeguarding partnerships and families.

What you will bring Substantial experience leading supported living services for adults with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs and complex behaviour at multi-site level.

A track record of line-managing Registered Managers, not only staff teams.

Real depth in positive behaviour support and trauma-informed care, and in reducing restrictive practice.

Strong working knowledge of CQC regulation, the Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding.

Commercial grip occupancy, agency, rota cost and package funding.

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care, or equivalent; current or previous CQC registration is an advantage.

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

What we offer A senior role in a business small enough that what you decide actually happens, and growing fast enough for it to matter.

A nurse-led structure clinical judgement sits alongside operational management here, not underneath it.

Clinical support from a Clinical Director, Clinical Lead, Advanced Practitioner and Clinical Complex Case Manager.

A separate housing and facilities function, so you are leading care rather than chasing repairs.

Direct access to the Co-CEOs, and a genuine say in how the organisation is run. [Pension / annual leave / car allowance / additional benefits] We are especially interested in people who have taken a care operation from adequate to good and can describe exactly how they did it.

To apply, send your CV and a short covering note.

Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check with Adults Barred List, satisfactory references, and the fit and proper persons requirements of Regulation 19.

We are committed to safeguarding adults and children.

TPBN1_UKTJ

Head of Care in London employer: All The Top Bananas

My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.

All The Top Bananas

Contact Details:

All The Top Bananas Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Care in London

Dive into Local Community Groups

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Care in London

Leadership Skills
Operational Management
Quality Assurance
CQC Regulation Knowledge
Positive Behaviour Support
Trauma-Informed Care
Line Management of Registered Managers

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 All The Top Bananas:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to All The Top Bananas! 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 All The Top Bananas

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.