Head of Adult Care in Preston

Head of Adult Care in Preston

Preston Full-Time No working from home possible
The Calico Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and innovate in adult care services, ensuring quality and compliance.
  • Company: Join The Calico Group, dedicated to transforming lives and supporting communities.
  • Benefits: Enjoy exclusive discounts, health support, gym memberships, and professional development.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with enhanced benefits and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Relevant health and social care qualifications and significant management experience required.

Make sure to apply with all the requested information, as laid out in the job overview below.

Location: Burnley

Salary: £55,000 - £65,000

Contract Type: Permanent

About Us

At The Calico Group, our purpose is clear: to make a real difference to peoples lives. Whether supporting individuals in recovery, helping communities thrive, or enabling employees to grow, we are committed to creating opportunities that transform lives. We embrace diversity in all its forms and take pride in employing a workforce that reflects the rich and varied communities we serve. Your skills and experiences could make all the difference join us to be part of something extraordinary. Syncora Care is part of the Calico Group. Here’s what makes The Calico Group unique: each of our specialist companies collaborates and innovates together to have a greater impact than they could alone.

The Opportunity

This role provides senior operational leadership across the organisations regulated care services. The role holds responsibility for quality, compliance, performance and service development. The postholder will act as the organisations Nominated Individual with Care Quality Commission (CQC) and will be accountable for ensuring services are safe, compliant, high quality and financially sustainable. The role will also lead the mobilisation, registration and operational delivery of any new schemes.

What We’re Looking For

We believe in recruiting for potential as well as experience. Our ideal candidate will have:

  • Relevant health and social care qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 4 or equivalent).
  • Management or leadership qualification (e.g. ILM Level 5 or equivalent).
  • Significant senior management experience within regulated care services including care services for older people, including residential and Extra Care or similar supported living services.
  • Strong operational management, coaching and performance management skills.
  • Financial literacy including budgeting, forecasting, invoicing, and rent account management.

If you share our values and are ready to grow through continuous learning, development, and the support of a dedicated team, we want to hear from you!

What’s in It for You?

At The Calico Group, we value our people and offer a supportive, inclusive culture alongside fantastic benefits:

  • Bravo Benefits Exclusive discounts at popular high street brands including many retailers and restaurants.
  • Westfield Health Our company funded cash plan, with access to a Doctor 24/7 for you and your dependents.
  • Mental Health Support Access emotional and mental well-being services through Spectrum.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme Save on commuting costs while staying active.
  • Pension Options with employer pension contributions.
  • Life Assurance Peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
  • Financial Advice Expert guidance to help manage your finances.
  • Recognition Awards Celebrate your achievements with our recognition programs.
  • Meaningful learning and development programmes with regular focus on your individual growth.
  • Gym Membership Discounts Stay fit with local gym access.
  • One Calico Events Connect and unwind at our employee social gatherings.
  • Paid Professional Fees We’ll cover the cost of professional subscriptions so you can continue growing your career.
  • And much more! We also offer enhanced holidays, sickness, maternity, and paternity options, ensuring you feel supported when you need it most.

How to Apply

Click Apply Now to complete your application online. Applications close on 30/06/2026. We can’t wait to welcome you to our team!

Inclusive Hiring at Calico

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss accessibility, please let us know.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

The Calico Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our customers, employees, and volunteers. Successful candidates will be subject to a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) and appropriate pre-employment checks in line with our safeguarding policies.

Don’t Leave it Too Long!

We don’t want you to miss this opportunity, the closing date for applications is 30/06/2026.

Interview Dates TBC

Head of Adult Care in Preston employer: The Calico Group

At The Calico Group, we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and communities. Located in Burnley, we offer a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous learning and development opportunities. With a comprehensive benefits package, including exclusive discounts, mental health support, and enhanced leave options, we ensure our employees feel valued and empowered to thrive in their roles.

The Calico Group

Contact Details:

The Calico Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Adult Care in Preston

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 The Calico Group.

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 The Calico Group!

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 The Calico Group, 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 The Calico Group 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 Head of Adult Care in Preston

Health and Social Care Qualification
Management or Leadership Qualification
Senior Management Experience in Regulated Care Services
Operational Management Skills
Coaching Skills
Performance Management Skills
Financial Literacy

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 The Calico Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Calico Group! 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 The Calico Group

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.