At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support teams to help people regain independence and improve service quality.
- Company: Suffolk County Council, dedicated to empowering individuals in their homes.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or social care, with strong leadership and communication skills.
At Home First, we're passionate about helping people regain, maintain and maximise their independence. Every day, our teams support people to recover following illness, injury, crisis or a stay in hospital, enabling them to live safely and confidently in their own homes.
We're looking for an Assistant Manager to join our Home First Management Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting an outstanding rated CQC provision of reablement, integration with health colleagues, and quality improvement across Home First.
Your role and responsibilities:
- Provide leadership, support and line management to Home First Team Leaders.
- Support the delivery of services in line with reablement and assessment principles.
- Act as Deputy to the Registered Manager when required, supporting compliance with CQC regulations and standards.
- Lead quality assurance activities, audits and continuous service improvement initiatives.
- Coach and mentor managers and frontline staff, promoting best practice and high standards of care.
- Support workforce development, including recruitment, training, succession planning and performance management.
- Work collaboratively with health, social care and provider partners to strengthen integrated working and improve outcomes.
- Support the implementation of Home First transformation programmes and service developments.
- Champion digital solutions and innovative ways of working that enhance service delivery and user experiences.
- Help ensure the effective management of service capacity, resources and operational performance.
You will need:
- Experience within health, social care or a related setting, with a commitment to person-centred practice and promoting independence.
- Experience leading or managing teams, supporting performance, wellbeing and development.
- The ability to lead through change while maintaining high standards of quality and service delivery.
- An understanding of reablement, CQC requirements and continuous improvement principles.
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving and organisational skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisations and professional disciplines.
- A proactive, innovative approach and a passion for achieving positive outcomes for the people we support.
- Ideally, a Level 4 qualification in Health and Social Care, Leadership and Management, or a related subject, although relevant experience and transferable skills are equally valued.
The team:
Home First provides short-term assessment and reablement services across Suffolk, supporting people to regain independence and remain living safely at home. This role sits within the West Home First Management Team and works closely with locality operational teams while supporting countywide transformation and integration initiatives. You will be supported by the Registered Manager for West Suffolk Home First and will work alongside Team Leaders, Assessment Staff, Occupational Therapists, health professionals and wider Adult Social Care colleagues. The role offers a unique opportunity to influence both operational delivery and future service development across Home First.
The service embraces flexible and hybrid working, although regular travel across Suffolk will be required to support teams.
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation.
For more information, please contact Rachel Sadler for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 03456066174 or emailing rachel.sadler@suffolk.gov.uk.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 31 August 2026.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
Assistant Manager in Bury St Edmunds employer: Suffolk County Council
At Sendsory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our team of Cognition and Learning Practitioners. Located in Ipswich, Suffolk, we offer competitive salaries, six training days per year, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with SEND. Our commitment to professional development and a child-focused culture ensures that every employee can grow and thrive while contributing to a nurturing educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager in Bury St Edmunds
✨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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Assistant Manager in Bury St Edmunds
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 Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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.
