At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality and operational management to enhance respite services for adults in Southampton.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council, a leader in adult social care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to positive outcomes and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping the future of respite services.
- Qualifications: Experience in adult social care, leadership skills, and a passion for quality improvement.
The predicted salary is between 41771 - 46141 £ per year.
Lead quality. Drive improvement. Shape the future of respite services in Southampton. Are you an experienced adult social care leader looking for an opportunity to make a lasting impact? Southampton City Council is seeking an ambitious and motivated Quality and Operational Lead to join our Kentish Road Respite Service, a CQC-regulated short breaks service supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, neurodiverse needs and complex support requirements.
This is a pivotal leadership role within the service, working directly alongside the Registered Manager and acting as their deputy in the day-to-day leadership, oversight and development of the service. Combining operational leadership with responsibility for quality assurance, governance, referrals, assessments, reviews and continuous improvement, you will play a key role in ensuring the service remains safe, effective, responsive and well-led.
We're looking for a visible, values-driven leader who can support staff, drive high standards of practice and help create a positive culture focused on quality, innovation and continuous improvement. This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of respite provision in Southampton, influence practice and make a genuine difference to the lives of the people we support and their families.
About the Role:
- Act as the Registered Manager's deputy and provide leadership oversight across the service.
- Support the effective day-to-day operational management of the service and provide visible leadership to staff teams.
- Lead on quality assurance, governance, auditing and service improvement activity.
- Support the service to maintain compliance with CQC regulations, safeguarding responsibilities and best practice standards.
- Monitor quality, identify improvement opportunities and implement change that enhances outcomes and people's experiences.
- Lead and oversee referral, assessment and review processes, ensuring timely and person-centred decision-making.
- Work with individuals, families and professionals to identify strengths, needs and desired outcomes.
- Support admission, transition and review processes, ensuring people receive the right support at the right time.
- Promote strengths-based practice and outcome-focused support that maximises independence and wellbeing.
- Provide supervision, guidance and professional support to staff, promoting a culture of accountability, learning and development.
- Build positive relationships with families, carers, social workers, health partners and wider stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcomes.
About You:
We are looking for someone with the passion, experience and leadership skills to help drive an ambitious service forward. You will have:
- Experience working within a CQC-regulated adult social care service.
- Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, neurodiverse needs and complex support needs.
- Experience leading, supervising or coordinating teams.
- Experience of quality assurance, governance, auditing and continuous improvement.
- Experience of referrals, assessments, reviews and support planning within adult social care.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and person-centred practice.
- The confidence, professionalism and credibility to deputise for the Registered Manager when required.
- Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- A proactive and solution-focused approach.
- A commitment to delivering high-quality support and achieving positive outcomes for people and their families.
Why Join Us?
Kentish Road provides an invaluable respite service for adults and families across Southampton. As a member of the leadership team, you will have a genuine opportunity to influence practice, strengthen governance, support staff development and contribute to the ongoing development of an important local service. You will join a team that is passionate about helping people achieve positive outcomes, promoting independence and ensuring people receive high-quality, person-centred support. If you are passionate about leadership, quality, continuous improvement and making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Working Pattern: Flexible rota covering Monday to Sunday
On-Call Requirement: Participation in the service on-call rota is essential
What we can offer you:
- Salary: The salary band for this role is £41,771 - £46,141, The starting salary is £41,771 with annual progression through the salary bands.
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution.
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service.
- Flexible working options (role-dependent).
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.
For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)
Interested in Finding Out More?
We'd love to hear from you. Contact details for informal discussion: For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Andrea Garden Registered Manager, Kentish Road Respite Service andrea.garden@southampton.gov.uk or call 023 8091 7889. Andrea will be happy to answer any questions and provide further information about the role and the service.
What we can offer you:
Recruitment contact details: Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8083 4033 For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news.
Quality and Ops Lead - Respite in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Join our vibrant partnership of six schools in Southampton and the New Forest, where we prioritise a rich learning experience for every child. As a Classroom Play Assistant, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive team dedicated to nurturing confident learners and responsible citizens. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to safeguarding, we offer a fulfilling work culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality and Ops Lead - Respite in Southampton
✨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 Southampton City Council.
✨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 Southampton City Council!
✨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 Southampton City Council, 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 Southampton City Council 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 Quality and Ops Lead - Respite in Southampton
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 Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton City Council! 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 Southampton City Council
✨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.
