At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team providing essential short breaks for children with autism and complex needs.
- Company: Join Unicare, a values-driven specialist care provider making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, funded training, 28 days leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression in a growing organisation.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in health and social care, strong leadership, and a passion for supporting children.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 33000 £ per year.
Lead a service that gives families a break and children a brighter day. Are you an experienced Deputy/Assistant Manager in children's or learning disability services, ready to step up and help lead a growing, values-driven short breaks service? Unicare is looking for a dedicated Assistant Manager to support the delivery of our Short Breaks Service for children and young people with autism, learning disabilities, and challenging behaviour, delivered in families' own homes across Surrey under our contract with Surrey County Council.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is as comfortable mentoring a support team as they are stepping in to support a child directly. You'll help families get the respite they need, give children positive and enabling experiences, and ensure every hour of support we deliver is safe, person-centred, and outcome-focused.
About the service
Short breaks give parents and carers of disabled children essential time to rest and recharge, while the children themselves enjoy safe, engaging, individually tailored support in their own home and community. It's some of the most rewarding work in the sector and it requires skill, patience, consistency, and strong leadership behind the scenes. You'll be supporting a team delivering this care, working closely with the Registered Manager, families, social workers, and the local authority to make sure every package works for the child at its centre.
About Unicare
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is a CQC-registered specialist care provider delivering high-quality supported living and complex care services to people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs, and complex behaviours. We operate across Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, and South London, and we're proud to deliver short breaks in partnership with Surrey County Council.
What you'll be doing
- Support the day-to-day running of the Surrey children's short breaks service
- Supervise, mentor, and support a team of support workers, including supervisions and spot checks
- Help with rotas, allocations, and ensuring continuity of care for each child
- Support recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of the team
- Participate in the on-call rota to support staff out of hours
- Champion safeguarding at all times and act as a point of escalation for concerns
- Ensure care is delivered in line with each child's support plan, behaviour support plan, and risk assessments
- Carry out and review assessments, support plans, and risk assessments
- Maintain accurate, timely records in line with CQC and contractual requirements
- Support quality audits and continuous improvement
- Build trusted, respectful relationships with parents and carers
- Liaise with social workers, the local authority, and other professionals around each child
- Ensure family feedback shapes the support we provide
- Provide direct support to children when needed, including during onboarding of new packages or staffing gaps
- Model best practice in positive behaviour support and person-centred care
What we're looking for
- Experience supporting children and/or adults with autism, learning disabilities, and challenging/complex behaviour
- Experience in a senior, team leader, or supervisory role within health and social care
- Strong understanding of safeguarding children and your responsibilities under it
- Knowledge of person-centred care and positive behaviour support (PBS) approaches
- Confident producing and reviewing support plans, risk assessments, and care records
- Excellent communication skills with families, staff, and professionals
- Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
- Willingness to participate in evening, weekend, and on-call cover as required
- Eligibility for an Enhanced DBS check including the Children's Barred List
- Right to work in the UK on a permanent basis without sponsorship
Desirable
- NVQ/QCF Level 3 or above in Health & Social Care (Children & Young People), or working towards Level 5
- Experience delivering short breaks / respite services
- Experience working within a local authority contract framework
- Knowledge of CQC standards and regulatory requirements
- Training in PBS, MAPA/Team Teach, or similar
What you'll get in return
- £30,000 - £33,000 salary depending on experience and qualifications
- Business mileage paid at HMRC rate
- Funded training and development, including Level 5 support for the right candidate
- 28 days annual leave including bank holidays
- Workplace pension scheme
- A genuine progression path within a growing organisation
- Supportive, values-led leadership and a real say in how the service develops
- The deep satisfaction of making a tangible difference to disabled children and their families
Who this role IS for
- A Senior Support Worker or Team Leader in children's, LD, or complex care ready to step up into management
- An existing Assistant/Deputy Manager looking for a more rewarding, specialist service
- Someone who genuinely enjoys both leading a team and rolling their sleeves up to support children directly
- Someone who lives within sensible reach of Surrey and can cover the patch
Who this role is NOT for
- Someone seeking a purely office-based or 9-to-5 role with no flexibility
- Someone without a driving licence and own vehicle
- Someone unwilling to undergo enhanced child workforce vetting
Safeguarding statement: Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and 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 including the Children's Barred List, 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 with a short covering note telling us: Your experience supporting children or adults with autism and challenging behaviour, your supervisory/leadership experience, and why this role appeals to you. Shortlisted candidates will complete a short pre-screening questionnaire followed by an interview at [location]. We review applications on a rolling basis and may 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.
Assistant Manager Children's Short Breaks Service - Autism & Complex in South Croydon employer: Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-driven work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families we serve. With a focus on professional development, including funded training opportunities and a clear progression path, our team members are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children with autism and complex needs. Located in Surrey, we provide a unique chance to work closely with families and local authorities, ensuring every child receives tailored support while enjoying the satisfaction of making a real difference in their community.
Contact Details:
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager Children's Short Breaks Service - Autism & Complex in South Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the health and social care sector. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities, especially roles like the Assistant Manager position at Unicare. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Unicare and their values-driven approach to care. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission to support children with autism and complex needs. Be ready to share specific examples of your leadership and hands-on support.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through. Talk about why you love working with children and families, and how you can contribute to their short breaks service.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Unicare team. Don’t forget to include a personal touch in your cover note – let them know why this role is perfect for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Manager Children's Short Breaks Service - Autism & Complex in South Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting children with autism and complex needs shine through. We want to see why this role excites you and how your experiences align with our mission at Unicare.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; share specific examples of how you've supported children or led teams in similar settings. We love hearing about real-life situations where you made a difference!
Tailor Your Covering Note:Your covering note is your chance to stand out! Make sure it’s tailored to the role by addressing the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for someone who gets what we do and why it matters.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to keep your application professional. Use clear language, check for typos, and ensure your CV is well-structured. We want to see the best version of you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of autism, learning disabilities, and complex behaviours. Brush up on person-centred care and positive behaviour support approaches. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or mentored others in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you made a difference, whether it was through supporting staff or directly helping children. This will demonstrate your readiness to step up as an Assistant Manager.
✨Build Rapport with Families
Be ready to discuss how you would build trusted relationships with parents and carers. Share any past experiences where you’ve effectively communicated with families or collaborated with social workers. This shows that you understand the importance of family involvement in care.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the service and its goals. This could be about how they measure success or what challenges they face. Asking questions not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
