At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting adults with mental health challenges in their community.
- Company: Join Unicare, a values-driven provider dedicated to mental health support.
- Benefits: Earn £15/hour, enjoy 28 days leave, and access funded training.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for career progression in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health support and team leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Senior Support Worker, Deputy Team Leader, or existing Team Leader in mental health, learning disability, or complex care services looking for your next step with a values-led provider that will genuinely back your development?
Unicare is recruiting a Team Leader to support the day-to-day delivery of our community-based mental health services across Sussex. You'll lead a team of support workers supporting adults with serious mental illness, dual diagnoses, and co-occurring complex needs helping them live safely, independently, and well in their own homes and communities. This is a hands-on, field-based leadership role for someone who can balance the operational rhythm of a community service with the human work of supporting people through difficult periods of their recovery.
About Unicare
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is a CQC-registered specialist care provider delivering high-quality supported living and complex care services to adults with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs, and complex behaviours. We operate across Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, and South London. Our mental health services are commissioner-funded, person-centred, and built around enabling independence not managing dependency.
What you'll be doing
- Leadership & team supervision
- Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of support workers in the community
- Conduct supervisions, spot checks, and appraisals
- Support rotas, allocations, and continuity of care for each person we support
- Champion learning, reflection, and continuous improvement within the team
- Participate in the on-call rota to support staff out of hours
- Person-centred mental health support
- Be the day-to-day point of accountability for the wellbeing of a small caseload of people we support
- Ensure care is delivered in line with each person's support plan, crisis and contingency plans, and risk assessments
- Build trusted, respectful relationships with the people we support recognising recovery as a non-linear journey
- Support team members to use trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches in their daily work
- Safeguarding & risk
- Act as a senior point of escalation for safeguarding concerns
- Understand and respond to risks around self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, hoarding, financial exploitation, and disengagement
- Liaise effectively with community mental health teams, crisis teams, GPs, social workers, and other professionals
- Recognise deterioration early and act to support the person, the team, and the wider service
- Medication & clinical safety
- Oversee safe medication support in line with NICE guidance and Unicare policy
- Support the team to manage psychotropic medications, depot injections (where applicable), and medication concordance
- Records, audit & quality
- Ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality records across the service
- Carry out and review support plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support plans
- Contribute to internal audits and quality improvement work
- Support commissioner reporting and contract compliance
What we're looking for
- Essential
- Demonstrable experience supporting adults with serious mental illness (psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, severe depression and anxiety, dual diagnosis)
- Previous supervisory, senior, or team leader experience in health and social care
- Strong understanding of safeguarding adults and Mental Capacity Act 2005 principles
- Knowledge of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and recovery-focused approaches
- Confident producing and reviewing support plans, risk assessments, and crisis plans
- Excellent communication and de-escalation skills
- Comfortable working lone working in community settings with appropriate safeguards in place
- Full UK driving licence and own vehicle (non-negotiable for a community role)
- Willingness to participate in on-call rota covering evenings and weekends
- Eligibility for Enhanced DBS check (Adult Workforce)
- Right to work in the UK on a permanent basis without sponsorship
- Desirable
- NVQ/QCF Level 3 or above in Health & Social Care; or working toward Level 5
- Training or experience in PBS, Team Teach, ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, or de-escalation
- Knowledge of the Care Programme Approach (CPA) or the new Community Mental Health Framework
- Experience working with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, community mental health teams, or local authority commissioners
- Experience supporting people with dual diagnosis (mental health + substance misuse)
- Understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Community Treatment Orders
What you'll get in return
- £15 an hour salary with possibility of increase with career progression
- Funded training and development, including Level 5 support for the right candidate
- 28 days annual leave including bank holidays
- Workplace pension scheme
- Clear progression path within a growing organisation
- Direct working relationship with the Registered Manager and senior leadership
- Supportive, values-led culture your judgement is trusted and your development is invested in
- The genuine satisfaction of helping people rebuild lives that mental illness has disrupted
Who this role IS for
- A Senior Support Worker or Deputy Team Leader in mental health, LD, or complex care ready to step up
- An existing Team Leader seeking a more supportive provider that genuinely invests in its people
- Someone who finds the work of mental health support genuinely meaningful not just clinically interesting
- Someone who lives within sensible reach of Sussex and is comfortable covering the patch
Who this role is NOT for
- Someone seeking a 9-to-5 office role with no flexibility
- Someone uncomfortable with the unpredictability inherent to mental health support
- Someone without a driving licence and own vehicle
We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Safeguarding statement
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, full reference checks, and satisfactory completion of our safer recruitment process. The successful candidate's appointment will be conditional on these checks.
How to apply
Click Apply Now and submit your CV along with a short covering note (a paragraph is fine) telling us:
- Your experience supporting adults with serious mental illness
- Your supervisory or team leader experience
- Why this role appeals to you
Shortlisted candidates will complete a short pre-screening questionnaire followed by an interview at our local Sussex office, which may include a scenario-based exercise reflecting the realities of the role. We review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive strong interest so please apply promptly.
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workforce.
Team Leader Mental Health Supported Living (Community-Based)Sussex in Crawley employer: Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-led work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With competitive salaries starting at £15 per hour, funded training opportunities, and a clear progression path, team leaders can thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with mental health challenges in the beautiful Sussex community.
Contact Details:
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader Mental Health Supported Living (Community-Based)Sussex in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Unicare. Understand their values and how they support mental health services. This will help you connect your experience with what they’re all about.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions for team leaders in mental health. Prepare your answers, focusing on your leadership style and how you’ve supported your team in the past. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, let your enthusiasm for supporting adults with serious mental illness shine through. Talk about why this work matters to you and how you can make a difference at Unicare.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and gives you another chance to highlight why you’d be a great fit for the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Leader Mental Health Supported Living (Community-Based)Sussex in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in mental health support and leadership. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant skills!
Craft a Compelling Covering Note:In your covering note, keep it concise but impactful. Share your passion for supporting adults with serious mental illness and why this role at Unicare excites you. Remember, we love genuine enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Supervisory Experience:Since this is a leadership role, emphasise your supervisory or team leader experience. Talk about how you've mentored others and contributed to their development – we’re all about growth here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. 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 brush up on your knowledge of mental health conditions, especially those mentioned in the job description like psychosis and bipolar disorder. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just qualified but genuinely passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or supported colleagues in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you mentored someone or improved team dynamics. This will demonstrate your readiness for the Team Leader position.
✨Understand the Company Values
Unicare is all about values-led care, so make sure you align your answers with their mission. Reflect on how your personal values match theirs and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their supportive culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Since the interview may include scenario-based exercises, think through potential challenges you might face in this role. Consider how you would handle difficult situations, such as managing a crisis or supporting a team member in distress, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
