At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide high-quality, person-centred care in Supported Living.
- Company: Join Leading Lives, a not-for-profit, employee-owned social enterprise.
- Benefits: Enjoy award-winning training, health support, and up to 8% pension contribution.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values your ideas and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 5 qualification in Social Care and experience in leading teams.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We're looking for a committed and confident Service Manager to lead our Supported Living service in Sudbury.
This is a key role focused on providing strong, consistent leadership, supporting the team and ensuring high-quality, person-centred care for the people we support.
Join Leading Lives, a not-for-profit, employee-owned social enterprise where staff are empowered and customers are at the heart of everything we do.
The Role
As a Service Manager, your focus will be on
- Leading the day-to-day running of the service and ensuring it operates safely and effectively
- Supporting, developing and guiding Team Supervisors and Support Workers
- Upholding high quality standards, regulatory requirements and internal processes
- Managing operational responsibilities including rotas, audits, safeguarding and health & safety
- Building and maintaining positive relationships with families, professionals and partners
- Providing clear, visible leadership that supports staff confidence, stability and continuous improvement
About the role
Why Join Us?
- Award-winning training & development opportunities
- Become part of our employee-owned organisation
- Up to 8% employer pension contribution
- Health & wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work scheme, retail discounts and more
- A rewarding leadership role where you can make a real difference, Maintain Service Quality & Operations
- Oversee audits, incident reporting and quality monitoring
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, CQC requirements, GDPR and health & safety standards
- Manage service budgets and maintain accurate reporting
- Provide Supportive Leadership
- Offer clear guidance, coaching and support to Team Supervisors and staff
- Carry out supervisions, appraisals and return-to-work meetings
- Foster strong communication and a positive, inclusive team culture
- Ensure Stability & Development
- Maintain effective systems and service approaches
- Manage referrals and support appropriate occupancy levels
- Work closely with families, carers and external professionals to promote customer wellbeing
- What You'll Need
- Level 5 qualification in Social Care (or working towards)
- Experience leading teams in a social care setting
- Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities
- A calm, confident and person-centred leadership style
- Your Journey With Us
You'll receive a structured induction and ongoing support from the wider management team to help you succeed and develop in the role.
Employment is subject to enhanced DBS and safer recruitment checks.
Leading Lives is an employee-owned social care organisation supporting people across Suffolk to live independent, fulfilling lives.
We provide person-centred support that promotes choice, dignity and opportunity, while creating a positive and inclusive workplace for our colleagues.
Whether you're starting your career in care or looking to progress, you'll be part of a supportive team that values your ideas, invests in your development and empowers you to make a real difference every day.
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Service Manager employer: Leading Lives
Leading Lives is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding opportunity for a Service Manager to lead our Supported Living service in Sudbury. As an employee-owned social enterprise, we prioritise staff empowerment and customer-centric care, providing award-winning training, generous pension contributions, and comprehensive health and wellbeing support. Join us to be part of a positive, inclusive culture where your leadership can truly make a difference in the lives of those we support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager
✨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 Leading Lives.
✨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 Leading Lives!
✨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 Leading Lives, 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 Leading Lives 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 Manager
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 Leading Lives:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leading Lives! 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 Leading Lives
✨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.
