Team Leader – Supported Living | Autism & Complex Needs
Location: Hampden Park, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Salary: £15.25 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week – Full Time, Permanent
Shift Pattern: Rolling rota, Monday to Sunday
Team Leader Opportunity – Lead a Brand-New Specialist Supported Living Service
Are you an experienced Team Leader, Senior Support Worker, or Care Team Leader looking for an exciting leadership opportunity?
Do you have experience supporting adults with Autism, Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs? Are you passionate about leading teams, delivering outstanding person-centred support, and making a real difference every day?
SDR is looking for a dedicated Team Leader to help launch an exciting new Supported Living service in Hampden Park, Eastbourne. This is a rare opportunity to be part of a brand-new service from day one, helping shape the culture, support your team, and enable an individual with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities and complex needs to live a safe, meaningful and independent life.
Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will lead by example, coach your team, and ensure exceptional standards of care while remaining actively involved in providing direct support.
Why Join SDR?
As a Team Leader, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Lead and develop a brand-new Supported Living service.
- Make a genuine difference to the life of an individual with complex needs.
- Build, coach and inspire a small, dedicated support team.
- Receive dedicated leadership time each week.
- Progress your career within a growing organisation committed to high-quality care.
The Role
This is a hands-on Team Leader position combining leadership responsibilities with direct support.
Your week will include:
- 30 hours providing direct person-centred support.
- 8 hours protected supernumerary leadership time.
- Participation in the management on-call rota.
Working alongside the Registered Manager, you will ensure the service delivers safe, high-quality, person-centred support that promotes independence, wellbeing and positive outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
As Team Leader, you will:
- Lead, motivate and support a team of Support Workers.
- Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance.
- Complete staff supervisions, coaching and competency support.
- Promote a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture.
- Deliver outstanding person-centred support.
- Support individuals with daily living, routines, appointments and community activities.
- Use Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches to promote positive outcomes.
- Ensure care plans, support plans and risk assessments are implemented effectively.
- Maintain excellent safeguarding, compliance and health & safety standards.
- Work closely with families, healthcare professionals and the multidisciplinary team.
- Monitor documentation, reporting and service quality.
- Help develop and continuously improve a brand-new specialist service.
About You
We're looking for an experienced leader who has:
- Previous experience as a Team Leader, Senior Support Worker, Shift Leader, or similar supervisory role.
- Experience supporting adults with Autism, Learning Disabilities, ADHD and Complex Needs.
- Experience supporting behaviours of concern using positive and proactive approaches.
- Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- The confidence to lead by example and support colleagues to achieve excellent outcomes.
- A calm, compassionate and resilient approach.
- A full UK driving licence.
What We Offer
- £15.25 per hour
- Permanent, full-time contract (37 hours)
- 215 hours annual leave (pro rata), including Bank Holidays
- Structured induction programme
- Comprehensive training and ongoing professional development
- Leadership development opportunities
- Regular supervision and management support
- Pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
- Company Sick Pay following successful probation
- Life Insurance following successful probation
- Employee Referral Bonus Scheme
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by our values: Kindness | Dignity & Respect | Calmness | Creativity | Responsibility
These values shape how we support the people who use our services and how we work together as one team.
Apply Today
If you're an experienced Team Leader or an ambitious Senior Support Worker ready to take the next step into leadership, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV or contact our Recruitment Team for an informal conversation.
Email: [email protected] or call Telephone: 07484 482896
Please note: We are unable to offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have an unrestricted right to work in the UK.
An Enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.
Closing Date: 17th August 2026
We encourage early applications and reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if suitable candidates are appointed.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £15.25 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Eastbourne, East Sussex: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Team Leader (Within Support Services): 1 year (required)
- Supporting individuals with dysregulated behaviours: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
