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- Tasks: Lead and build a new supported living service for individuals with complex needs.
- Company: Join SDR Care, a compassionate organisation dedicated to kindness and respect.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical cover, pension scheme, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy and support while creating a meaningful service from the ground up.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping a new service and leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Experience in autism and complex needs, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Supported Living Manager – Build & Lead a New Specialist Service
Location: East Sussex (must be local or able to commute reliably)
Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 (depending on experience)
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Driving: Full UK driving licence essential (community access required)
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Supported Living Manager to take full leadership of a brand-new specialist service supporting a young person with autism, a learning disability, ADHD, and complex behavioural needs. The role requires experience supporting individuals who present with dysregulated behaviour, which may at times include aggression. You will use calm, consistent, and person-centred approaches to ensure safe and effective support.
You will be responsible for building the service from the ground up - shaping the culture, recruiting and leading the team, and establishing consistently high standards of therapeutic, person-centred care. If you are looking for a role where you can truly lead, influence, and create something meaningful, this is that opportunity.
At SDR Care, we live by Kindness, Dignity & Respect, Calmness, Creativity, and Responsibility – and as a Supported Living Manager you will model and embed these values across your team and service.
What makes this role different
- Building a brand-new supported living service from inception
- Recruiting and shaping your own team
- Setting the culture, expectations, and operational standards
- Working closely with senior leadership to define best practice
- Delivering a highly structured, therapeutic, person-centred model of care
You will have real autonomy and responsibility from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, recruit, induct, and develop a new supported living team
- Establish a safe, structured, and high-quality service
- Embed Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches across the service
- Provide leadership in managing complex behaviours and crisis prevention
- Ensure full compliance with safeguarding and the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
- Oversee care planning, documentation, and quality assurance
- Maintain a hands-on leadership presence, including rota involvement where required
- Work closely with senior management to develop and evolve the service model
Who we are looking for
- Strong experience in autism, learning disabilities, and complex needs services
- Proven experience as a Supported Living Manager, Registered Manager, or an experienced Deputy ready to step up
- Background in high-support or behaviourally complex environments
- Strong leadership and team-building experience
- Confident knowledge of safeguarding and MCA
- Experience with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
- Calm, resilient, and emotionally intelligent under pressure
- Ability to lead consistently in challenging environments
What we offer
- £45,000 – £55,000 salary (DOE)
- Mileage allowance for community visits
- Private medical cover
- Pension scheme
- 23 days holiday + bank holidays (pro rata)
- Structured induction and onboarding programme
- Strong ongoing leadership support
- Employee referral bonus (£200 + £300 after 1 year)
If you’re ready to lead a brand-new specialist service and make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. A DBS check will be required following offer. Early applications are encouraged, as this vacancy may close once filled.
Supported Living Manager (complex needs) | New Service | Eastbourne employer: SDR
Contact Detail:
SDR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supported Living Manager (complex needs) | New Service | Eastbourne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the supported living sector. Attend local events or online webinars to meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to supported living management. Think about how you’d handle complex behaviours and lead a team. We can help you with mock interviews to boost your confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share examples of how you've built teams and shaped cultures in previous roles. This is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Supported Living Manager (complex needs) | New Service | Eastbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with autism, learning disabilities, and complex needs. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Supported Living Manager, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about building and leading a new team, so be sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in challenging environments – we love a good story!
Be Person-Centred: Since this position requires a calm and person-centred approach, make sure to reflect that in your application. Talk about how you’ve used these methods in past roles to support individuals with complex needs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape a new service!
How to prepare for a job interview at SDR
✨Know the Service Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the new supported living service and its goals. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of individuals with autism, learning disabilities, and complex behaviours. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the role and demonstrate your commitment to building a person-centred approach.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Supported Living Manager, you'll be leading a team from the ground up. Prepare examples of how you've successfully recruited, developed, and led teams in the past. Highlight your ability to create a positive culture and maintain high standards, especially in challenging environments.
✨Emphasise Your Crisis Management Experience
Given the nature of the role, it's crucial to discuss your experience in managing complex behaviours and crisis prevention. Be ready to share specific instances where you've used calm and consistent approaches to de-escalate situations, ensuring safety and support for everyone involved.
✨Align with Their Values
SDR Care values kindness, dignity, respect, calmness, creativity, and responsibility. During the interview, reflect on these values and provide examples of how you've embodied them in your previous roles. This will show that you're not just a fit for the job, but also for the company culture.