At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team supporting adults with autism and complex needs.
- Company: Outward, a respected provider of person-centred support in London.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in autism services and strong leadership abilities required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 ÂŁ per year.
Contract: full time, permanent
Hours: 38 hours per week
Salary: ÂŁ32,294
Location: Hackney, E5, London
About Outward.
For 50 years, Outward has been providing high-quality support and care services to vulnerable people across London, predominantly in North‑East London. Established by families seeking alternatives to institutional care, we’ve grown into a respected provider of person‑centred support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and complex needs. We support over 1,000 people across nine boroughs, guided by our core values: engage, enable, and empower.
About the Role
We are looking for a proactive and passionate, committed and energetic Deputy Manager to join our autism service and dedicated team supporting adults with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and behaviours of distress. The role of Deputy Manager offers a unique opportunity to combine direct care responsibilities with service coordination and leadership duties.
As a Deputy Manager, you will play a key role in empowering the people we support to live independent and fulfilling lives. You’ll provide high‑quality care and support, while also managing elements of service delivery such as support planning, key working, rota oversight, and staff guidance. You will work closely with the Team Manager as well as the other Deputy Manager and play an active role in ensuring our services are person‑centred, well‑managed, and aligned with Outward’s core values of engage, enable, and empower.
Your Responsibilities
- Provide direct, person‑centred support
- Provide strong day‑to‑day leadership within the supported‑living service, ensuring high standards of care and support for adults with autism and complex needs.
- Support the Team Manager with the overall running of the service, including staffing, rota management, audits, and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Carry out key working responsibilities including providing line management and supervision to support staff
- Engage, enable and empower people to achieve their goals and ambitions within a person‑centred approach, promoting individual choice, independence and self‑confidence.
- Build and maintain strong relationships and a partnership approach with families and involved professionals and stakeholders.
- Develop, coach and mentor a positive and resilient team of support workers to deliver high quality and personalised support and embed a culture of positive behaviour support.
- Ensure support is delivered innovatively, flexibly and on a person‑centred basis to meet the needs and outcomes of the people supported.
- Ensure the service is safe, effective, caring, well‑led and responsive, meeting CQC essential standards to at least a good level with an aim of outstanding achievement.
- Follow the PBS principles and support all people according to their needs in communication or sensory, giving them choices and the opportunity to develop new skills and become more independent.
- Work flexibly, including evenings and weekends, to support consistent service delivery.
Essential Criteria
- Good understanding of safeguarding and risk management in a care/support setting
- Experience in working in an autism service; Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is especially valuable, as our approach focuses on understanding each person’s unique needs and creating supportive environments where they can thrive.
- Supervising staff and acting as a good role model, coaching and mentoring
- Ensure accurate record‑keeping and documentation, maintaining high standards of professionalism and regulatory compliance.
- Knowledge of health and safety issues within supported housing or care environments
- Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, and data protection principles
- Staff must have access to a smartphone capable of receiving SMS messages and installing authentication apps for secure systems access
- Right to Work in the UK; note that Outward will not provide visa sponsorship.
Desirable Criteria
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)
- Additional training in PBS, safeguarding, or housing‑related legislation
How to Apply
The above is not an exhaustive list of requirements for the role. If you think you are who we are looking for, please submit a CV and statement detailing how you feel your experiences meet the requirements of the role by referring to the Job Responsibilities and the Person Specification. There is no specific closing date for this advert. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. It would be great to hear from you.
Outward is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. If the post you apply for involves working with or having access to adults at risk and/or their records, we will require a DBS for successful candidates.
Benefits package: 25 days Annual Leave excluding
Deputy Manager - Autism Specialist Supported Living Service, London, E5 employer: Outward
Contact Detail:
Outward Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Autism Specialist Supported Living Service, London, E5
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the autism support sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to autism support and leadership. Think about your experiences and how they align with Outward's values of engage, enable, and empower. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for supporting individuals with autism during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in someone's life or how you've led a team effectively. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Outward.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager - Autism Specialist Supported Living Service, London, E5
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Deputy Manager role. Highlight your experience in autism services and any relevant qualifications, like NVQs or training in Positive Behaviour Support.
Craft a Compelling Statement: In your statement, be sure to connect your past experiences with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Show us how you can engage, enable, and empower the people we support.
Be Person-Centred: When writing your application, keep the person-centred approach at the forefront. Share examples of how you've supported individuals in achieving their goals and maintaining independence.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we find the right candidate, so get your CV and statement in through our website as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Outward
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the core values of Outward: engage, enable, and empower. Familiarise yourself with their approach to supporting adults with autism and complex needs. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their mission during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in managing teams, providing person-centred support, and implementing Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare questions that show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their current challenges in service delivery or how they measure success in empowering individuals. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is right for you.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Manager, you'll need to lead by example. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully coached and mentored staff in the past. Highlight any strategies you've used to foster a positive team culture and ensure high standards of care.