At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to deliver outstanding care for individuals with complex needs.
- Company: Join Lifeways, a company dedicated to improving lives and fostering supportive environments.
- Benefits: Enjoy financial wellbeing tools, leadership development, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of empathy, courage, and innovation in your leadership role.
- Why this job: Make a real difference every day while shaping the future of care services.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care and strong management experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
As a Service Manager at Lifeways, you create environments where people thrive, and every decision you make shapes someone’s future. We’re looking for a Service Manager who is genuinely passionate about improving the lives of the people we support, while also fostering a positive, supportive environment for their team.
In this role, you’ll work closely with a dedicated Area Manager and Regional Director to oversee the delivery of high-quality care and support for working-age adults with complex needs, including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, ASD, and behaviours that challenge.
We are particularly keen to find someone who understands the importance of equipping teams with the right training to deliver complex care, ensuring staff feel confident, capable, and well-supported in their roles.
In this role, you will:
- Support, inspire, and develop your team of support workers and team leaders in the delivery of outstanding care and support.
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality care and support for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, challenging behaviours, and physical disabilities, each with their own unique and complex needs.
- Drive service improvements and quality standards.
- Build strong relationships with your team, families, and communities.
You’ll lead with purpose, inspire your teams, and deliver the highest standards of care while shaping the future of services.
What You’ll Bring
- A minimum Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care with Level 5 being desirable (or working towards it).
- Strong experience in operational and people management.
- A valid UK driver’s licence and willingness to travel locally.
- A genuine passion for quality care — and the ability to lead by example.
We’re looking for individuals who embody empathy, courage, honesty, equality and passion. If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you to the team.
Why Join Lifeways?
When you join Lifeways, you step into a leadership role in a company that values and invests in its people. Our shared values guide everything we do: Caring – Honest – One Team – Innovative – Courageous – Equal.
You’ll get:
- Enjoy financial wellbeing tools with Stream — real-time pay tracking, savings features, and instant access to earned pay when you need it.
- Leadership development programmes & progression pathways.
- A supportive, inclusive workplace culture.
- Matched contribution company pension scheme.
- Wellbeing resources and mental health support.
- Reward and Recognition Schemes.
- Discounts on shopping, tech, travel, and more through CHOICE Rewards.
At Lifeways, you’re not just anyone. You’re a leader who can make a difference every single day.
Registered/Service Manager in Dartford employer: Lifeway s Group
At Lifeways, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of our staff. As a Service Manager in Dartford, Kent, you will be part of a supportive and inclusive culture that values empathy, innovation, and teamwork, while also offering robust leadership development programmes and financial wellbeing tools. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we support, all while enjoying a range of employee benefits and recognition schemes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered/Service Manager in Dartford
✨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 Lifeway s Group.
✨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 Lifeway s Group!
✨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 Lifeway s Group, 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 Lifeway s Group 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 Registered/Service Manager in Dartford
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 Lifeway s Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lifeway s Group! 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 Lifeway s Group
✨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.
