Unicare Complex Care Specialist is seeking an exceptional Team Leader to support the delivery of high-quality community support services across Sussex.
This role is ideal for an experienced Senior Support Worker, Team Leader, Care Coordinator, or Community Support Lead looking to take the next step in their career.
You will support adults living in their own homes and within the community who may have:
- Autism Spectrum Conditions
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health Needs
- Anxiety Disorders
- Emotional Dysregulation
- Challenging Behaviour
- Social Isolation
- Trauma Histories
- Complex Communication Needs
No two days are the same.
One day you may be supporting staff with a Positive Behaviour Support strategy, the next conducting quality audits, attending a safeguarding meeting, coaching a support worker, or helping someone achieve a life-changing goal in the community.
About the Role
As Team Leader, you will act as a key link between frontline support staff, families, professionals, and senior management.
You will provide leadership, guidance, and operational oversight to ensure outstanding support is delivered consistently across the service.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Staff Support
- Lead by example and promote Unicare's values
- Provide day-to-day guidance to support workers
- Conduct spot checks, observations, and competency assessments
- Support induction, mentoring, and development of new staff
- Participate in staff supervisions and performance discussions
- Promote a positive and supportive team culture
Quality & Compliance
- Audit daily notes and support records
- Ensure documentation is accurate and person-centred
- Monitor service quality and identify improvement opportunities
- Support incident investigations and follow-up actions
- Ensure safeguarding concerns are managed appropriately
- Maintain compliance with CQC and organisational standards
Client Support & Outcomes
- Support individuals to achieve meaningful goals and outcomes
- Promote independence, dignity, and choice
- Assist with complex support situations when required
- Support Positive Behaviour Support approaches
- Encourage community participation and social inclusion
- Work collaboratively with families and professionals
Operational Responsibilities
- Assist with rota management and staff allocation
- Support emergency cover arrangements when necessary
- Participate in the on-call rota
- Attend multidisciplinary meetings
- Support new package mobilisations and service developments
What We're Looking ForEssential
✔ Minimum 2 years' experience supporting adults with Autism, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, or Challenging Behaviour
✔ Experience supervising or mentoring staff
✔ Excellent communication and organisational skills
✔ Understanding of:
- Safeguarding Adults
- Positive Behaviour Support
- Autism
- Mental Health
- Learning Disabilities
- Person-Centred Planning
- Mental Capacity Act
✔ Ability to remain calm under pressure
✔ Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle
Desirable
- Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care
- Level 5 Leadership qualification (or willingness to undertake)
- PBS training
- PMVA/BILD training
- Experience using electronic care systems such as Birdie
- Experience conducting audits and quality checks
What Success Looks Like
After six months in post, you will have:
✓ Developed strong relationships with clients, families, and professionals
✓ Improved quality and consistency of support records
✓ Increased staff confidence and performance
✓ Contributed to positive outcomes for the people we support
✓ Supported service growth and operational excellence
Why Join Unicare?
At Unicare, we do more than provide care.
We support people to build meaningful lives, achieve independence, and access opportunities that matter to them.
We invest heavily in our staff and believe great leadership creates great outcomes.
Benefits include:
- Competitive Salary
- Career Progression Opportunities
- Ongoing Professional Development
- Leadership Training
- Blue Light Card Discounts
- Employee Recognition Awards
- Supportive Management Team
- Pension Scheme
- Mileage Contribution
- Opportunity to Progress into Registered Manager and Senior Leadership Roles
If you are passionate about improving lives, developing staff, and delivering outstanding community support, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of a team making a real difference across Sussex.
Indeed Search Keywords
- Team Leader
- Community Support Team Leader
- Senior Support Worker
- Autism Team Leader
- Learning Disabilities Team Leader
- Mental Health Team Leader
- PBS Team Leader
- Community Care Team Leader
- Supported Living Team Leader
- Health and Social Care Team Leader
Pay: £15.00-£16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee mentoring programme
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- 1. What excites you most about leading a community support team?
(We are interested in what motivates you.)
- 2. A support worker is technically competent but families frequently complain about their attitude. What would you do first?
- 3. Which of the following is most important for a Team Leader?
☐ Completing paperwork
☐ Covering shifts
☐ Developing staff
☐ Improving client outcomes
☐ Compliance
Why did you choose this answer?
- 4. A client suddenly refuses support from a long-standing staff member. What would be your immediate response?
- 5. Imagine you arrive at a service and discover staff morale is low. Name one action you would take during your first week.
- 6. Complete the sentence:
"A great Team Leader should never..."
- 7. A staff member tells you:
"I don't think this client can achieve that goal."
How would you respond?
- 8. Which area do you feel strongest in?
☐ Autism Support
☐ Mental Health Support
☐ Learning Disabilities
☐ Positive Behaviour Support
☐ Staff Leadership
☐ Quality & Compliance
Briefly explain why.
- 9. Tell us about a time you helped someone (client or staff member) achieve something they thought they couldn't achieve.
- 10. 10. Tell us about a time you helped someone (client or staff member) achieve something they thought they couldn't achieve.
Work Location: In person
