Respite Assistant Care Manager in Harrogate

This role is ideal for someone with experience in care who is ready to take on more responsibility in a supportive leadership position. You will guide and inspire a team who work directly with individuals who have complex needs. You will help to create a safe, positive and engaging environment where individuals can grow in confidence, develop independence and achieve their goals. Your work will contribute directly to Henshaws mission of empowering people to live the life they choose.

Main duties of the job

• We welcome applicants who have experience in the care sector and an enthusiasm for working with young people with complex needs.
• Essential requirements include an NVQ Level 2 or Diploma in Health and Social Care and a willingness to work towards Level 3 within 18 months.
• You will need experience of providing personal care and an understanding of learning disabilities.
• You must be able to stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly and work in a way that promotes dignity, respect and independence.
• You will need to be able to push a wheelchair, support moving and handling including hoisting, and assist with personal care after training.
• Flexibility is essential due to the rota pattern.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality and safe working practices is also required.
• Desirable requirements include experience of working with young adults, knowledge of health and safety in care settings and an understanding of student rights.
• An enhanced DBS check with adult and child barring is required for this post.

About us

Henshaws Society for Blind People aims to employ a diverse workforce and is committed to equality of employment and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Henshaws is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults. It is a criminal offence for people barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group e.g. vulnerable adults, children or both. An Enhanced DBS with barring and reference checks will be sought from the successful candidate. Henshaws reserves the right to check social media accounts of all successful applicants.

Job responsibilities

• Lead and support a dedicated team of Care Workers, providing regular supervision, feedback, and encouragement to help them grow and succeed.
• Champion person-centred care by writing and reviewing individualised plans and risk assessments that reflect each service user's goals, preferences, and strengths.
• Promote empowerment and independence, supporting students to achieve their EHCP outcomes through positive engagement and meaningful daily experiences.
• Inspire continuous learning and improvement within the team, ensuring staff have the training, tools, and confidence to deliver outstanding care.
• Maintain robust safeguarding practices, leading by example and promoting wellbeing for both service users and colleagues.
• Contribute to the safe and competent administration of medication and support complex care needs in line with organisational and CQC standards.
• Collaborate with clinical, education, therapies and other stakeholders to provide holistic support and a joined-up approach to service user development.
• Drive quality and compliance by completing audits, action plans, and contributing to continuous service improvement.
• Contribute to EHCP reviews, gathering feedback from service users and staff to celebrate achievements and identify next steps.
• Maintain accurate, respectful records that reflect progress and ensure transparent practice.
• Lead by example in safeguarding and wellbeing, promoting a culture of care and vigilance for both students and colleagues.
• Provide informed recommendations to care managers for policy implementation where required.
• Address and correct poor practice promptly, reporting actions taken during regular reviews.
• Ensure health and safety compliance through high standards of administration and housekeeping.
• Work in accordance with Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards and apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act in all decision-making.
• Deputise for the Care Manager when required, contributing to leadership decisions and participating in the on-call rota.
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed to ensure the safe and effective running of the service.
• Encourage ambition and aspiration, helping service users and staff believe in what’s possible and achieve their personal best.

Person Specification

• Qualifications: NVQ 2/Diploma in Health and Social Care and commitment to work towards Level 3 within 18 months of employment.
• Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Previous experience of working in the care sector and providing personal care.
• Recent experience of working with young adults.
• Previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities.

• Experience: The ability to keep calm under pressure when dealing with challenging behaviour.
• Enthusiastic, respectful and sensitive attitude to our client group.
• Knowledge of different learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of care work and what this will involve including understanding dignity and respect.
• Commitment to furthering students' independence.
• Ability to promote the student group in a positive and professional manner.
• Aware of equal opportunities issues relating to this area of work.
• Knowledge and experience of health and safety issues relating to this area of work.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.