Service Lead in Cheltenham

Multi Service Supported Living Service Lead

Location: Gloucester DCA/Portishead

Rate: Up to £30,000 DOE

Permanent | Full-time | 37.5 hours per week (rota-based)

Required UK Manual Drivers License

Please note: We are unable to consider Skilled Worker or Student Visa applicants for this role

‘Extraordinary Days, Every Day’

At CareTech, we are committed to delivering Extraordinary Days, Every Day through high-quality, person-centred care. Our focus is on empowering independence, building confidence and life skills, and supporting people to live fulfilling lives in environments that best suit their needs.

We are recruiting a Multi-Service Supported Living Service Lead to join CareTech, working closely with the Registered Manager to support high-quality, person-centred services.

About the Services –

We are looking for an experienced, organised and motivated Service Lead to support the Registered Manager in overseeing a diverse portfolio of supported living services across Gloucestershire and the Portishead area.

Gloucester DCA consists of seven supported living settings:

• A supported living block of four individual flats in Dursley.
• Two single-occupancy houses in Cheltenham
• Two three-bedroom supported living houses, one currently supporting two people and a further service due to open in September in Cheltenham

The portfolio currently supports approximately 11 eople and will grow to around 14 people as the new service becomes operational.

The people we support have a wide range of individual needs, including learning disabilities, autism, behaviours of concern and mental health needs. Some people require higher levels of structure, consistency and risk management from experienced staff teams.

The Service Lead will form an important part of the management structure: Registered Manager → Service Lead → Team Leaders → Support Workers. The post holder will work closely with the Registered Manager and will provide direct operational oversight, guidance and support to Team Leaders across the portfolio.

Because the services are geographically dispersed, the role requires someone who is highly organised, able to prioritise effectively and comfortable travelling between services to maintain a visible management presence.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include coordinating day-to-day service delivery, supporting and overseeing Team Leaders, monitoring governance and compliance, ensuring support plans and risk assessments remain current, overseeing staff supervision and development, monitoring training and competency, supporting rota and staffing arrangements, reviewing incidents and safeguarding actions, completing quality audits, supporting recruitment and induction, liaising with professionals and families, and supporting the mobilisation of new services.

We are looking for someone who can see both the individual needs of the people we support and the wider operational picture across several services, while helping the Registered Manager maintain consistently high standards across the portfolio.

Previous experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and behaviours of concern is highly desirable. Previous senior, supervisory or multi-site experience would be particularly beneficial.

Service User Interests

• Arts and crafts
• Days out such as Theme Parks, Meals out, Social activities, Christmas markets etc.
• Holidays and short breaks
• Walks in the local park and community
• Cooking and baking to develop life skills

The Role

• Lead and direct the day-to-day operational management of the schemes, ensuring that available resources are used effectively to enable the provision of a good quality service with support from the registered manager-
• Ensure that all staff working within the home receive regular supervision, in accordance with CareTech’s Policy.
• Work closely with the Service Development Team, participating in the selection and compatibility of potential new residents, their assessment, and transition into the home if appropriate.
• Ensure that all service users have a dynamic support plan, which involves the person as far as is possible, takes account that person’s needs and aspirations, and is reviewed regularly.
• Hold responsibility for ensuring that the home operates in accordance with all statutory requirements, using the National Minimum Standards as a benchmark for good practice.
• Ensure that the homes offer a safe environment geared to creating opportunities for the personal development of service users, taking into account practical, physical and emotional needs.
• Take a lead role for risk analysis within the homes, ensuring that appropriate assessments take place, and plans put in place to minimise risk where necessary.
• Ensure that all steps are taken to maintain the health of people living within the homes.
• Play a supporting role to Senior Managers and Team Leaders regarding the Contract
• Monitoring process, providing reports and management information on the conduct of the home where this is necessary.
• Liaise with external Agencies as appropriate, and ensure that contact between the staff team and those Agencies is conducted in a professional manner.
• Work with the Registered Manager and Personnel Department in supporting the recruitment and selection of staff, and assist the Area Manager in the formulation of staffing strategies, Policies and Procedures, and other pieces of managerial work as required.
• Participate, as required, in the formulation of budgets, and to monitor expenditure in specific budget headings, as required.
• Ensure that proper record and administrative systems are in place within the home, as required by CareTech Policy & Procedures, and Statutory Authorities.
• Be accountable for the management of the Home’s petty cash float and any monies/valuables belonging to service users kept within the home.
• Participate in the Area’s on-call management system as required.
• Ensure that the home is run in accordance with good Health & Safety practice and legal requirements.
• Ensure that maintenance and equipment renewal needs are communicated to the relevant person, obtaining costings/quotes where appropriate, and then ordering items/services once authorised.
• Ensure that good communication networks are maintained within the home, upwards within CareTech’s management structure, and sideways to relevant others.
• Support the Company’s Disciplinary & Grievance processes, as required, including involvement in Investigations, and the Chairing of Disciplinary Hearings if need be.
• Ensure that all staff within the Home are aware of, and adhere to, CareTech’s Policy & Procedures, and to have involvement in the review and revision of these, and other Company documents when required.
• Undertake any other managerial tasks as required, in accordance with the seniority and level of responsibility inherent in this position.

Requirements

• Diploma (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care or be willing to work towards.
• Experience in managing multiple sites (preferred)
• Experience in managing fast paced environments
• Experience in supporting adults with challenging behaviour, learning disabilities and mental health issues.
• The ability to keep calm under pressure.
• Confidence to work alone and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills.
• The passion to work with vulnerable Adults.
• The desire and commitment to achieve high standards of safeguarding.

What We Offer

• Recommend A Friend Bonus
• Up to 28 Days Holiday, inclusive of Bank Holidays
• Free DBS Check
• Blue Light Card
• Stakeholder Pension
• Free Employee Assistance Programme
• Annual Employee Awards Evening
• Employee Recognition Schemes
• Ongoing training with clear career progression opportunities, including access to qualifications up to degree level
• CareTech Foundation - Opportunity to apply for family and friend’s grant

About CareTech

Founded in 1993, CareTech is one of the largest and most reputable specialist social care and special education needs providers across the UK. The Group has a track record of more than 30 years, delivering high quality, person-centred care to those with complex needs. The Group was founded by brother Haroon and Farouq Sheikh, who continue to lead CareTech today, providing continuity of leadership, long term stability and a deep personal commitment to the people we support.

CareTech Community Services are proud to inform you that they are a Disability Confident Leader.

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 7–10 days.

Some roles may require male or female employees only, where this is a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.