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- Tasks: Lead a community service supporting adults with mental health needs in their own homes.
- Company: Unicare, a CQC-registered provider focused on personalised care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, funded training, 28 days leave, and career progression.
- Other info: Join a growing organisation with a genuine commitment to quality care.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping community care services.
- Qualifications: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and 2 years' management experience in adult social care.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Sussex
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Lead a community service that's genuinely person-centred. Not a building. Not a unit. People's actual homes, across Sussex.
About Unicare
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is a CQC-registered provider of supported living and complex care services across Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, and South London. We were founded by two clinicians-turned-operators who built this business on a single principle: that adults with mental health needs, autism, and learning disabilities deserve services designed around their lives - not services they have to fit themselves into.
We're now expanding our Sussex Community Service and looking for a Registered Manager who shares that conviction and has the operational discipline to deliver it.
The opportunity
This is a full CQC Registered Manager role. You will be named on our CQC registration and hold accountability for a community-based service supporting adults with mental health needs, autism, and learning disabilities in their own homes across Sussex - including Brighton & Hove, Lewes, and surrounding areas. You will report directly to the Head of Operations and work alongside our in-house CPN/PBS Specialist, Clinical Governance & Quality Lead, and Business Development team. This is a strategic role, not a paperwork role. You will be expected to grow the service, shape its clinical model, build relationships with Sussex commissioners, and develop the next generation of community team leads.
What you'll actually do
- Regulatory & clinical governance: Hold CQC registration. Lead audits, evidence quality against the Single Assessment Framework, and prepare the service for inspection. Own safeguarding, MCA/DoLS, medication management, and incident oversight in line with Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board procedures and CQC Regulations 12, 13 and 17.
- Operational leadership: Run a dispersed workforce delivering variable-hour community packages. Manage rosters, capacity, on-call, and clinical risk. Stand up new packages from referral to first visit. Be the person commissioners trust to pick up the phone when something complex lands.
- Clinical model: Embed Positive Behaviour Support, trauma-informed care, and the principles of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training across the community team. Work with our CPN/PBS Specialist on individual support plans, behaviour support plans, and crisis frameworks.
- Growth: Build the service. Develop commissioner relationships across West Sussex, East Sussex, Brighton & Hove, and NHS Sussex ICB. Contribute to tender responses, fee uplift submissions, and the service development plan.
About you
You're someone who has done this work in the community - not just in a care home or supported living building. You understand the operational reality of delivering personalised care across dispersed addresses: the rota maths, the lone-worker risk, the safeguarding nuances, the relationship-building with families who have often been let down before.
We need you to bring:
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care (held or actively working towards - funded completion available)
- A minimum of 2 years' management experience in adult social care
- Direct experience supporting adults with mental health needs, autism and learning disabilities in community, domiciliary or supported living services
- Working fluency with CQC Fundamental Standards, the MCA 2005, the Care Act 2014, and PBS principles
- Confidence managing safeguarding referrals, serious incidents and Reg 13 reporting under Sussex SAB procedures
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
- The right to work in the UK (we are unable to sponsor for this role)
You'll stand out if you have:
- Existing or previous CQC Registered Manager status
- Oliver McGowan Tier 2 certification
- A PBS Coach or PBS Practitioner qualification
- Established relationships with Sussex commissioners
- Experience standing up a community service from scratch or scaling one significantly
What we offer
- £38,000 - £40,000 per annum, DOE
- A genuine seat at the leadership table - direct working relationship with both founder-CEOs and Head of Operation
- Funded Level 5 completion, Oliver McGowan Tier 2, PBS, and Safeguarding Lead CPD
- 28 days' annual leave including bank holidays
- Pension scheme
- Mileage at HMRC rate
- A growing organisation with clear progression - we're scaling across the South of England and building out our complex care division
- The professional satisfaction of running a service that does this work properly
Apply
Submit your CV via TotalJobs. Suitable candidates will be contacted within 5 working days for a two-stage process: competency interview with the CEO, then a scenario-based panel including our Responsible Individual.
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from those with lived experience of the communities we serve.
CQC Registered Manager Community Service-Mental Health, Autism & LD employer: Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
Contact Detail:
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land CQC Registered Manager Community Service-Mental Health, Autism & LD
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to community care and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about the work they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to managing community services and handling complex situations. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more confident and articulate during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace CQC Registered Manager Community Service-Mental Health, Autism & LD
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your management experience in adult social care and any direct work with mental health, autism, and learning disabilities.
Showcase Your Passion: In your cover letter, let us know why you're passionate about person-centred care. Share any personal stories or experiences that connect you to our mission at Unicare, as this can really make your application stand out.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and avoid jargon. We want to see your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. This ensures it goes directly to us and helps streamline the process. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at Unicare!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the CQC regulations and the principles of Positive Behaviour Support. Brush up on your knowledge about mental health needs, autism, and learning disabilities, as these will be key topics during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your direct experience in community settings. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and delivered personalised care in people's homes, as this aligns perfectly with what Unicare is looking for.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves a lot of relationship-building, practice how you can connect with the interviewers. Show genuine interest in their mission and values, and think about how your own experiences align with their person-centred approach.
✨Prepare for Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and operational leadership. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, especially regarding safeguarding and clinical governance.