At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead day-to-day operations of supported living services and empower individuals to live fulfilling lives.
- Company: CareTech, dedicated to delivering extraordinary care every day.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £30,000, full-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting adults with learning disabilities and strong organisational skills required.
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.
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:
- Two single-occupancy services in Portishead.
- 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 people 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 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.
- 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:
The people we support enjoy a wide range of activities, and Support Workers play a vital role in enabling these experiences, including:
- 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:
You will:
- 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.
Service Lead in Gloucester employer: CareTech UK
CareTech is an exceptional employer dedicated to delivering high-quality, person-centred care in Gloucester and Portishead. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training and support, fostering a collaborative work culture that empowers staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Join us for a rewarding career where you can grow professionally while contributing to extraordinary days for our service users.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Lead in Gloucester
✨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 CareTech UK.
✨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 CareTech UK!
✨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 CareTech UK, 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 CareTech UK 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 Service Lead in Gloucester
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 CareTech UK:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to CareTech UK! 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 CareTech UK
✨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.