Deputy Manager - Maternity Cover

We're looking for a kind, compassionate, and resilient Deputy Manager to join our Learning Disabilities Social Care Service in Newham. £33,000 per annum, working 40 hours per week. Weekends and evenings may be required. 6‑month FTC with possibility of extension.

Looking for a career you can control? You'll feel at home here. Making you feel at home means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award‑winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all.

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24‑7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• A generous pension – we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward and recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

• Service Management
  • Develop and promote key business relationships with stakeholders to achieve excellence in service delivery and maximise new business opportunities
  • Ensure that all Statutory and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are proactively met or exceeded to demonstrate value for money services
  • Participate in and monitor the initial and continuous assessment of customer needs to ensure support planning and risk management is completed in accordance with organisational policies and statutory requirements
  • Ensure all safeguarding cases are managed within the safeguarding protocols, are reported appropriately and within statutory and organisational timescales
  • Support safe, consistent and predictable environments in line with the Capable Environments framework
• People Management
  • Lead and motivate your team to foster a forward‑thinking, positive “can do” environment and culture
  • Deliver motivational and effective supervision and team meetings to empower staff
  • Coach and mentor staff to support career aspirations, high standards of service delivery and model positive behaviour within the staff team
  • Comply with Look Ahead management reporting requirements and adhere to HR Policies and Procedures

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

• Adept at talent management and developing employees' career progression
• Inspires people to achieve Look Ahead goals and vision and acts persuasively, encouraging others to go beyond their expectations
• Excellent time management skills, well organised and makes the best use of available resources
• Forward thinking and able to mitigate risks and demonstrate value for money
• An excellent and honest communicator at all levels, empathetic and approachable. Handles conflict professionally
• Is fundamentally confident, calm and resilient and does not let emotion adversely impact situations. Handles pressure well

• Minimum 3 years' experience of supporting vulnerable adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism
• GCSEs in English and Maths (grade A‑C)
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of current social care legislation, Safeguarding and Mental Capacity processes
• Experience of leading and managing a team
• Experience of managing the support of customers with high complex needs
• Ability to create and maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to write high‑standard report
• Experience of using Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word

Look Ahead is a leading, not‑for‑profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co‑design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

• We focus on Excellence and Innovation
• We are Caring and Compassionate
• We are Inclusive and Trusted
• We work in Partnership and are One‑Team

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.