Specialist Team Leader - Realise in Highbridge

Role type: Specialist Learning Disabilities

Hours Available: Full time / 39 Hours

Do you like to connect with people, make a difference and do the right thing? Somerset Care is an award-winning not-for-profit care provider across the Southwest. Realise is Somerset Care Group’s specialist learning disabilities service who have been recognised for the work we do, including silver winners in the Outstanding Care Awards, and finalists in the Laing Buisson awards. We are also only one of four providers in the country to achieve national recognition for our work with people that are part of the Transforming Care agenda.

Realise provides tailored support for people who may be living with their family, living in their own accommodation or to those who wish to progress to more independent living. We are proud to state that we are a disability confident employer. Everything we do at Somerset Care is underpinned by our four core values:

• Connecting with people
• Making a difference
• Doing the right thing

By living these values, we ensure that we keep our commitment to delivering high-quality, tailored care to support and enrich the lives of our customers. Join our Realise Team, part of the Somerset Care Group, in Taunton, Washford, Bridgwater, Highbridge, Yeovil and surrounding areas. Our tailored service provides support to people within their own homes, out and about, with personal care, hobbies, or companionship.

This role is to provide the highest standard of care provision that is compliant to the standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), working “with” customers to achieve outcomes, rather than working “for” them. The post holder will take a supervisory responsibility of a small staff team to ensure the service effectively supports customers to develop a fulfilling life in accordance with the person-centred support plan.

Responsibilities

• Line manage a team of staff, including one-to-one supervision, performance management, leading team meetings, annual appraisals, organising staff rosters, identifying training and development needs, induction and supporting and mentoring new staff.
• Recruit and select staff ensuring the customer is at the centre of this process.
• Carry out initial assessments (including risk assessments) for new customers and develop individual service designs with the customer and/or their circle of support at the centre of the process.
• Conduct quality assurance visits in customers’ homes to ensure compliance with company policy and procedure, whilst meeting the requirements of the customers’ individual service design.
• Lead annual reviews of care packages in conjunction with customers, family, representatives, and stakeholders.
• Attend internal and external meetings across the region. Some travel may be required for attendance and participation in such meetings.
• Manage and resolve customer issues and first line complaints, escalating to line manager when appropriate.
• Provide out of hours on-call support as required to customers and care staff, making arrangements to manage unexpected occurrences and escalating to senior management.
• Provide direct support in line with the customer’s individual support plan, where required, including weekends, sleep-ins, waking nights or naturalised night duties.
• Take responsibility for your own professional development and lead a key area of the business development.
• Share specialist knowledge with the management team, colleagues and stakeholders, demonstrating the range and diversity of care and support services delivered by the company.
• Ensure all working practices comply with legislative practices and company policy and procedures at all times.

Qualifications

• Experience of working within a learning disability service.
• Experience of providing alternative solutions for a customer within a learning disability service.
• Experience of resolving first line customer complaints.
• Experience in involving customers in Quality Assurance processes.
• Previous supervisory or management experience.
• Working knowledge of Safeguarding processes.
• Working knowledge of the CQC regulatory framework.
• NVQ level 3, with the opportunity to work towards NVQ level 4/5.
• Good relationship building skills.
• Effective Team Player.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Effective motivator of self and staff.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage a busy workload and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to personal development.
• Knowledge of the principles of good practice and providing a quality service in a learning disability setting.

Benefits

• Full company induction, ongoing training to gain Nationally recognised Health and Social Care qualifications plus the opportunity to start an Apprenticeship.
• Full time opportunity – 39hrs.
• A salary of 31,332.60.
• Enhanced pay for nights, weekends and bank holidays.
• Mileage rate of 55p, plus MOT scheme & free breakdown cover.
• 24/7 Free DBS check.
• Blue Light Card – provides access to more than 15,000 discounts from large national retailers to local businesses!
• Access to your earnings before payday via Wagestream.
• Full provision of all necessary PPE.
• Wellbeing support available, covering a wide range of support services and events.
• Reward and recognition – Bright Sparks, Somerset Care Group Awards, Long Service Awards.
• Refer a Friend Bonus – £350 per person you refer (Uncapped and paid on successful appointment).

Somerset Care Limited is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and welcome applications from all individuals. As this position involves “regulated activity” (as defined by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) an Enhanced DBS check will be undertaken. It’s a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group. Somerset Care is committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and children at risk.