At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling lives and manage daily tasks.
- Company: Join Southdown, a not-for-profit provider dedicated to care and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy health cash-back schemes, interest-free loans, and 25 days paid holiday.
- Other info: Ongoing training provided for career progression in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in people's lives while developing your management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in health and social care management, especially with learning disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 30185 - 30185 £ per year.
Job Description
Description Support people with learning disabilities to live full, happy lives.
Hours: 37 per week What youll be doing: Do you want to make a meaningful difference?Southdown is a not-for-profit provider of accommodation, care and support for 160 adults with learning and physical disabilities in our 23 supported living services and 4 residential care homes across Sussex.
As a Deputy Manager, youll support the Service Manager to develop an excellent team, overseeing staff performance and good practice, training compliance, disciplinary procedures, professional development, inductions, appraisals and supervision.
You will also support clients with daily living tasks including personal care, finances, health and medication, to enable them to live independent lives.
You'll ensure clients get the right support by participating in client referrals, assessments and care plan updates.
We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in health and social care roles such as Team Leader, Senior Support Worker, Deputy Manager, Assistant Manager, Service Manager, Care Home Manager, CQC Registered Manager.
Service description: Lennox Court is a supported living service for 6 adults with learning disabilities.
Lennox Court is a purpose-built, one storey building in the Parklands area of Chichester.
The property has six self-contained flats each with a specially-adapted bathroom.
There is a communal lounge, dining room and kitchen where clients can socialise and take part in activities.
The building is very close to the centre of Chichester (about 10 minutes walk) and train station (15 minutes walk), with frequent local buses.
Our clients are supported to lead active, fulfilling lives and are supported to make the most of their local community while developing each clients choice, control and independence.
Perks and benefits
- Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
- Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
- Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
- Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
- Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
- 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays (or paid time in lieu for any bank holidays worked)
- Unsociable hours uplift: extra £4.51 per shift for waking nights.
- Sleep-in shifts: £61 per sleep-in shift (11pm-7am).
- On call rota: an allowance of £12.30 (weekday) or £25.63 (weekend and bank holiday).
Knowledge, skills and experience What you'll need for the role
- Previous experience working in a management role within a Learning Disabilities service or care home, including safeguarding, risk management and health and safety.
- Experienced working with clients with learning disabilities who may present with challenges, following positive behaviour support principles.
- A passion for leading teams in the provision of outstanding care.
- Ensuring compliance with CQC standards, including preparing for inspections and managing audit processes.
- You live within reasonable commuting distance of the service or are willing to relocate.
- A Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown.
What would be nice
- Experience managing an operational service budget, including resource management to ensure staffing levels meet client needs while keeping within budget constraints.
- Experience managing a learning disabilities service with a good or outstanding CQC rating.
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)
- A full manual driving licence
Training: You will receive ongoing training and coaching from your manager, as well as specific training courses throughout the year to help you develop your management skills and foster upwards career progression.
How to apply: Please click on the Apply Now button and fill out our simple one-page application form.
The application closing date is 16 August 2026.
Please note, should we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date.
We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager (Learning Disabilities) in Sussex
✨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 Southdown.
✨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 Southdown!
✨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 Southdown, 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 Southdown 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 Deputy Manager (Learning Disabilities) in Sussex
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 Southdown:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southdown! 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 Southdown
✨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.
