At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with complex needs and lead a dedicated team to provide high-quality care.
- Company: Join Avenues, a community-focused organisation that values and empowers its staff.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, shopping discounts, and paid annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with clear career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting individuals with learning disabilities and strong leadership abilities.
The predicted salary is between 29012 - 29012 £ per year.
Do you have the right skills and experience for this role? Read on to find out, and make your application.
Location: Beresford Gardens, Margate
Salary: £29,012 per annum (pro rata)
At Avenues, we’re more than just a workplace — we’re a community where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve great things together. We’re delighted to be recruiting an Assistant Service Manager to join our team at Beresford Gardens in Margate. This supported living service provides bespoke, person‑centred support to two individuals with complex needs, including profound learning disabilities, autism, and mild behaviours that may challenge. One individual uses some Makaton to communicate, and both require a high level of personal care delivered with compassion, dignity, and respect.
The Role
As an Assistant Service Manager, you will work in close partnership with the Service Manager to support the effective day‑to‑day running of the service. You’ll provide hands‑on leadership, inspiring and mentoring staff to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred support using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Active Support. Your focus will be on promoting meaningful activities, positive relationships, and genuine inclusion.
You’ll support compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements, relevant legislation, and organisational policies and procedures, and you’ll confidently act on behalf of the Service Manager when required. Throughout everything you do, you’ll champion high standards, dignity, and inclusion for the people we support and the teams you lead.
Working Pattern & Hours
Flexibility is essential for this leadership role. You will work across a flexible 7-day rota pattern covering Monday to Sunday, consisting of the following core shifts:
- Early Shift: 7:00am – 3:00pm
- Late Shift: 3:00pm – 10:00pm
- Waking Nights: Required on an as-needed basis to ensure continuous care, provide staff supervision, or support night teams.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience: Proven history supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
- Leadership: Strong practice leadership skills with experience coaching, mentoring, and developing teams.
- Approach: A clear understanding of how to balance safeguarding with positive risk‑taking.
- Travel: A full UK driving license is highly desirable to support travel to the service and use service vehicles (not essential).
Benefits You Can Expect!
- Financial: £29,012 per annum pro rata + contributory pension scheme with life assurance.
- Growth: High-quality training to support your career development and clear paths to progress.
- Perks: Shopping discounts via Blue Light Card and The Benefits website.
- Rewards: "Recommend a Friend" scheme – earn up to £500.
- Wellbeing: Paid enhanced DBS check, paid annual leave (pro rata), and free 24/7 access to a health portal, counselling, and support.
Ready to Apply?
If you're passionate about making a real difference and supporting both individuals and staff to thrive, we'd love to hear from you. You'll have clear opportunities to grow and develop your career with Avenues, while making a meaningful impact every single day. As part of our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme, candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for this role will be offered the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
Assistant Service Manager in Whitstable employer: Avenues Group
At Avenues, we pride ourselves on being more than just a workplace; we are a supportive community dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. Located in Birchington, our Assistant Service Manager role offers a unique opportunity to lead with compassion while enjoying flexible working arrangements, high-quality training, and a strong focus on employee development. Join us to inspire your team and contribute to a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Service Manager in Whitstable
✨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 in Whitstable
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.
