At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop services for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs.
- Company: Join United Response, a values-driven charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous leave, training opportunities, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with career progression and commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact while developing your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care and leadership; NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care preferred.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
Location: West Cornwall
Hours: 37.5
Salary: £15 per hour
Contract: Permanent
Help People Live the Life They Choose. Are you an experienced social care professional ready to take the next step in your leadership career? At United Response, we're looking for an Assistant Service Manager to help lead and develop high-quality services that support people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs to live independently, achieve their goals and be active members of their communities. This is an exciting opportunity to join a values-driven national charity where you'll have the chance to make a genuine difference every day while developing your management skills within a supportive and experienced leadership team.
Working alongside the Registered Manager, you'll play a key role in leading staff teams, maintaining excellent standards of care, ensuring compliance, and creating an environment where both the people we support and our colleagues can thrive.
Please note: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and be currently resident within the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
About the Role
As Assistant Service Manager, you'll support the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the service, helping to ensure safe, effective and person-centred support is delivered at all times. You'll inspire and develop staff teams, champion best practice, oversee quality and compliance, and support the delivery of outstanding outcomes for the people we support.
You'll be responsible for:
- Supporting the leadership, supervision and development of staff teams
- Driving high-quality, person-centred support and positive outcomes
- Supporting safeguarding, risk management and safe working practices
- Maintaining compliance with CQC regulations and organisational standards
- Monitoring quality, performance and continuous improvement activities
- Supporting rota planning and operational delivery
- Deputising for the Registered Manager when required
- Building positive relationships with families, professionals and stakeholders
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines compassion with leadership and is passionate about helping people live great lives. You’ll ideally have:
- Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and/or mental health needs
- Experience supervising, coaching or developing staff teams
- Knowledge of safeguarding, CQC requirements and regulated activities
- Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills
- Confidence managing day-to-day service operations
- Good IT and administrative skills
- Flexibility to participate in an on-call rota
- The ability to travel between locations when required
Essential Qualification
NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, Social Care Management or equivalent
Don't Meet Every Requirement?
If you share our values and believe you have the potential to succeed in this role, we'd still love to hear from you. At United Response, we're committed to developing talented people and creating opportunities for career progression. We recognise that not everyone will meet every requirement, and we're proud to invest in our colleagues through training, mentoring and development.
What We Offer
In return, we'll help you build a rewarding career and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Enhanced company sick pay and maternity/paternity pay
- Blue Light Card discounts and Costco membership (T&Cs apply)
- Free occupational health, physiotherapy, counselling and wellbeing support
- Two wellbeing days per year
- Fully funded training and nationally recognised qualifications
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- UR STARS employee recognition programme
- Workplace pension scheme
- Long service awards
- Travel to Work scheme (season ticket loan)
- Access to discounts from over 3,500 retailers
About United Response
United Response is a leading national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs. We are committed to helping people live independently, participate in their communities and achieve their goals. Everything we do is guided by our values: Connected, Empowered, Driven and Bold. We are proud of our inclusive culture and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. United Response is a Disability Confident Leader and an equal opportunities employer. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria and are committed to supporting applicants with mental and physical health conditions throughout the recruitment process. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check, funded by United Response. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, therefore early applications are encouraged.
Assistant Service Manager employer: United Response
United Response is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a significant impact in the community. With a supportive work culture, competitive salary, enhanced sick pay, and access to ongoing training, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally in the vibrant town of Redruth. Join us to not only build futures for those we support but also to cultivate your own career in a rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Service Manager
✨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 United Response.
✨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 United Response!
✨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 United Response, 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 United Response 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 Service Manager
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 United Response:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to United Response! 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 United Response
✨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.
