Job Summary
We are seeking a compassionate, experienced, and motivated Care Home Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our specialist Learning Disability and Mental Health residential service. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, person-centred care while maintaining full compliance with CQC regulations and promoting positive outcomes for the people we support.
The Care Home Manager will provide strong leadership to the staff team, ensuring high standards of clinical governance, safeguarding, quality assurance, and operational performance. They will work closely with multidisciplinary professionals, commissioners, families, advocates, and community mental health teams to support individuals in achieving greater independence, improved wellbeing, and enhanced quality of life.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Service Management
- Manage the day-to-day operation of the home in accordance with CQC Fundamental Standards, the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and all relevant legislation.
- Lead, supervise, and motivate the staff team, creating a positive, supportive, and accountable culture.
- Ensure the home consistently delivers high-quality, person-centred care that promotes independence, dignity, choice, inclusion, and positive risk-taking.
- Maintain occupancy levels by working collaboratively with local authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS services, and private commissioners.
- Support business development by participating in assessments, referrals, and admissions while ensuring compatibility of new placements.
Care & Clinical Governance
- Ensure comprehensive, outcome-focused care plans and risk assessments are developed, regularly reviewed, and accurately reflect each individual's changing needs.
- Promote Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), trauma-informed care, recovery-focused practice, and least restrictive approaches.
- Monitor incidents, accidents, safeguarding concerns, restrictive practices, and behavioural support interventions, ensuring appropriate action plans are implemented.
- Ensure medication systems are managed safely in accordance with NICE guidance, CQC regulations, and company policies.
- Conduct regular audits covering medication, infection prevention and control, care documentation, health and safety, environmental standards, safeguarding, and quality assurance.
- Drive continuous service improvement through action plans, lessons learned, and performance monitoring.
Mental Health & Learning Disability Support
- Ensure support is tailored to adults living with:
- Learning Disabilities
- Autism (where applicable)
- Mental Health conditions
- Complex behaviours
- Dual diagnosis
- Emotional and behavioural needs
- Work collaboratively with Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), psychiatrists, psychologists, learning disability teams, GPs, social workers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Promote recovery, emotional wellbeing, social inclusion, life skills, meaningful activities, and community participation.
Staff Management
- Recruit, induct, supervise, appraise, and develop staff to maintain a competent and motivated workforce.
- Ensure staffing levels and skill mix remain appropriate to residents' assessed needs.
- Manage staff rotas, annual leave, sickness absence, and performance management.
- Deliver regular supervision, competency assessments, team meetings, and mandatory training.
- Foster a culture of openness, continuous learning, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure full compliance with:
- CQC Regulations
- Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) / Liberty Protection Safeguards (when applicable)
- Safeguarding Adults legislation
- Health and Safety legislation
- Infection Prevention and Control guidance
- Data Protection (GDPR)
- Prepare for CQC inspections and maintain evidence demonstrating safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led services.
- Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), quality metrics, incidents, complaints, compliments, and resident outcomes.
- Lead investigations into complaints, safeguarding concerns, accidents, and serious incidents where required.
Resident & Family Engagement
- Build positive relationships with residents, relatives, advocates, commissioners, and external professionals.
- Promote resident involvement in decision-making, care planning, activities, and service development.
- Ensure concerns and complaints are managed professionally and resolved promptly.
Financial & Operational Management
- Manage budgets responsibly while maintaining high standards of care.
- Monitor expenditure, staffing costs, agency usage, and resource allocation.
- Ensure efficient stock control, maintenance, environmental safety, and regulatory compliance.
Essential Requirements
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (or working towards).
- Previous experience managing a Learning Disability and/or Mental Health residential service.
- Strong understanding of CQC regulations and inspection frameworks.
- Excellent knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), safeguarding, MCA, DoLS, and person-centred care.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong leadership, communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience managing audits, investigations, compliance, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Full UK driving licence (desirable).
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Registered Manager experience with CQC.
- Experience supporting adults with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Mental Health, and complex behaviours.
- Knowledge of digital care systems (eMAR, electronic care planning, governance platforms).
- Experience working with Local Authorities, NHS commissioners, and Integrated Care Boards.
- Experience improving CQC ratings and leading service development projects.
Personal Attributes
- Compassionate, approachable, and person-centred.
- Strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
- Professional integrity and accountability.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Calm under pressure with the ability to manage complex situations.
- Passionate about improving the lives of people with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health needs.
- Committed to continuous professional development and promoting excellence in care.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract
Pay: £16.00-£18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
