At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with complex needs and lead a dedicated team in delivering exceptional care.
- Company: Join Smock Acre, a compassionate service focused on person-centred care.
- Benefits: Flexible shifts, competitive pay, training opportunities, and health support.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with learning disabilities, a full driving licence, and a passion for care.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced support professional looking to take the next step in your career? We're looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Service Manager to join our team at Smock Acre, a specialist service supporting three adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and complex communication needs.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about person-centred care and wants to help create an environment where the people we support can live fulfilling, independent lives.
About the service:
Smock Acre is a welcoming home providing specialist support for three adults with complex needs, including physical disabilities and medical conditions. One individual requires PEG feeding, and all require a high level of personal care, including moving and handling support. Set in a peaceful rural location, the service offers a calm and rewarding place to work. Due to the location and lack of nearby public transport, you'll need your own transport to travel to and from the service.
As Assistant Service Manager, you'll work closely with the Service Manager to ensure we continue delivering exceptional care and support. You'll help lead and inspire the team, creating a positive culture where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to provide outstanding care. You'll balance operational responsibilities with hands-on support, ensuring the people we support remain at the heart of every decision.
This is a flexible role that includes a variety of shifts across a seven-day rota, including:
- Early shifts: 7:00am – 2:30pm
- Late shifts: 2:30pm – 10:00pm
- Bank holidays
- Occasional extended hours to provide one-to-one staff support or supervise night staff
- Participation in waking night and sleep-in shifts when required
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the day-to-day running of the service alongside the Service Manager.
- Leading, coaching and motivating the staff team to deliver high-quality, person-centred support.
- Promoting independence while balancing positive risk-taking with safeguarding responsibilities.
- Ensuring policies, procedures and best practice standards are followed.
- Providing practical support to the people we support when required.
- Participating in the on-call rota.
- Completing audits, supervisions, documentation and service administration, with one dedicated admin day each week.
Requirements:
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
- Holds a full driving licence and has access to their own transport.
Benefits:
- High quality training that supports your career development.
- Paid enhanced DBS check.
- Flexible working.
- Shopping discount via Blue Light Card and The Benefits website.
- Paid annual leave (pro rata).
- Contributory pension scheme with life assurance.
- Free and confidential 24/7 access to a health portal, counselling and support.
- Recommend a Friend scheme – earn up to £500.
As part of our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme, candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria will be offered the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview.
Locations
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Service Manager (Permanent) in Canterbury, Kent
✨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 Avenues Group.
✨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 Avenues Group!
✨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 Avenues Group, 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 Avenues Group 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 Assistant Service Manager (Permanent) in Canterbury, Kent
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 Avenues Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Avenues Group! 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 Avenues Group
✨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.
