At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supported living services, ensuring high-quality, person-centred support for adults with learning disabilities.
- Company: Values-driven provider of adult supported living services in Dorchester and Portland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive management, clear career progression, and a focus on staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to continuous improvement and positive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in management within supported living and NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 33113 - 33113 £ per year.
Salary: £33,113 per annum
Hours: Full-time, Mon to Fri, with shared on-call responsibilities
Location: Dorchester and Portland
Setting: Residential
This position does not offer sponsorship. We are unable to accept applications from individuals who require a visa to work in the UK.
Overview
Compass Associates is recruiting on behalf of a values-driven provider of adult supported living services for an experienced Locality Manager to oversee services in Portland, Dorset. This is a hands-on operational leadership role, providing strategic and day-to-day guidance across supported living services supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex care needs including individuals requiring one-to-one support.
Our client is a well-established, growing organisation with a strong ethos. Their mission is to ensure that every moment matters for the people they support and they are looking for a Locality Manager who shares that commitment and has the experience to bring it to life at service level.
The Role
As Locality Manager, you will take responsibility for the operational leadership of supported living services across the Portland, Dorset area, working as part of the wider Somerset branch. You will provide hands-on guidance to service managers and their teams, setting the culture, driving quality and ensuring that the people you support are at the centre of everything the service does.
You will be the organisation's representative on the ground, the first point of contact for families, commissioners and local organisations and will play a key role in ensuring the financial efficiency, compliance and continuous improvement of the services. You will work five out of seven days, including some evenings, weekends and bank holidays, and will participate in the shared on-call rota.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage supported living services, providing clear operational guidance to service managers and their teams to ensure high-quality, person-centred support
- Set and embed the service culture, modelling the organisation's values and ethos in all actions and behaviours every day
- Oversee compliance with CQC Key Lines of Enquiry, minimum standards and all relevant regulatory and statutory requirements, including fire safety, health and safety, COSHH and RIDDOR
- Monitor and drive quality assurance across the services, ensuring all records, documentation and audits are comprehensive, up to date and compliant
- Lead effective recruitment, induction, training and development of staff, including bimonthly supervisions and annual appraisals
- Ensure all people supported have clearly documented personal outcomes and that staff are actively working to help them achieve their goals, hopes and aspirations
- Develop and deliver annual service development plans with staff, people supported and families, reviewing progress monthly
- Support the Registered Manager with budget management, including monthly variance reviews, fee and hours variations, income predictions and financial administration
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with commissioners, Social Services, healthcare professionals and other external partners
- Lead on complaints, incidents and accidents, ensuring company policies are followed and matters escalated as required
Requirements
- Significant experience in a management role within a supported living or residential care setting
- Demonstrable experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex care needs
- Strong working knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements
- Proven ability to lead multiple teams, build a positive culture and improve performance across dispersed services
- Strong people management skills experienced in recruitment, supervision, appraisal and performance management
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to represent the organisation with commissioners, families and external professionals
- NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care is essential
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £33,113 per year.
- The chance to lead a Supported Living service.
- A supportive management structure, including deputy managers and senior leadership backing.
- Clear pathways for career progression into senior operational roles.
- A collaborative, values-led organisation committed to staff wellbeing and continuous improvement.
Interview Process:
Contact Details: To apply, or for more information and an informal discussion about the post please contact Ed Amaral at 02394214487 or email Eamaral@compassltd.co.uk
Recommendations: Compass Recruitment is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer a £200 John Lewis voucher for a successful recommendation following the completion of probation/rebate.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Locality Manager - Adult Supported Living - Learning Disabilities in Portland
✨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 Compass Associates.
✨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 Compass Associates!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨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 Compass Associates 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 Locality Manager - Adult Supported Living - Learning Disabilities in Portland
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 Compass Associates:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Compass Associates! 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 Compass Associates
✨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.
