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Registered Manager
Specialist Supported Living — Surrey, Surbiton & Reading
Supporting adults with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs and behaviours that may challenge
Location
Regional role across Surrey, Surbiton & Reading (travel between services required)
Contract
Full-time, permanent
Salary
Competitive, dependent on experience, plus performance-related bonus
Reports to
Head of Operations / Senior Leadership Team
Driving
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (essential)
Unicare Complex Care Specialist is seeking an exceptional Registered Manager to lead our specialist Supported Living services across Surrey, Surbiton and Reading — supporting adults with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs, and behaviours that may challenge. This is not a traditional care management role.
We are looking for a passionate leader who understands Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), trauma-informed practice, autism-specific approaches, safeguarding and person-centred care — someone who can inspire teams, improve outcomes, work in partnership with families and professionals, and create environments where individuals can thrive and achieve meaningful lives. If you are ambitious, values-driven and ready to make a genuine difference, we would love to hear from you.
About the Service
Across our supported living services in Surrey, Surbiton and Reading, we provide specialist, person-centred support for adults with a range of complex needs. Our services are designed to promote independence, wellbeing and inclusion in the local community.
We support adults experiencing:
- Autism Spectrum Conditions
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health Needs
- Emotional Regulation Difficulties
- Self-Harm Risks
- Sensory Processing Differences
- Behaviours of Concern
- Communication Difficulties
- Trauma Histories
- Complex Social and Emotional Needs
We help people to achieve:
- Independence
- Community Inclusion
- Emotional Wellbeing
- Skill Development
- Positive Risk-Taking
- Meaningful Occupation
- Person-Centred Outcomes
Your Role
As Registered Manager, you will hold registration with the Care Quality Commission and have overall responsibility for the safe, effective, responsive and compliant operation of our supported living services across the region. You will:
- Lead and develop high-performing staff teams across all three locations
- Ensure compliance with CQC regulations and best-practice guidance
- Drive excellent quality assurance and governance systems
- Promote Positive Behaviour Support throughout the service
- Oversee safeguarding, incident management and risk-reduction strategies
- Support individuals to achieve their personal goals and aspirations
- Build strong relationships with commissioners, social workers, families, healthcare professionals and community partners
- Manage budgets and resources effectively across multiple sites
- Conduct audits, supervisions, appraisals, competency assessments and service reviews
- Lead recruitment, retention and workforce development initiatives
- Create a positive culture focused on quality, accountability and continuous improvement
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (or working towards)
- Previous experience managing Supported Living, Residential or Community Services
- A strong working knowledge of: autism, learning disabilities and mental health; Positive Behaviour Support; safeguarding; CQC regulations; the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; and person-centred planning
- Experience managing complex behaviours and high-risk situations
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly across Surrey, Surbiton and Reading
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Desirable
- Existing or previous CQC Registered Manager experience
- A PBS qualification
- PMVA / BILD or equivalent training
- Experience working with commissioners and local authorities
- Experience supporting services through inspections and quality-improvement programmes
What We Offer
✓ Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
✓ Performance-related bonus scheme
✓ Company pension
✓ Ongoing professional development
✓ Leadership and management training
✓ Career progression opportunities
✓ Supportive senior leadership team
✓ Employee recognition programmes
✓ Blue Light Card eligibility
✓ The opportunity to influence and shape service development
Why Join Unicare?
At Unicare Complex Care Specialist, we believe outstanding care starts with outstanding leadership. We are building services that genuinely improve lives, empower individuals and raise standards across the sector. We invest heavily in our people and provide the support, autonomy and resources needed to succeed. If you are an experienced leader who shares our passion for excellence, innovation and person-centred support, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of a team committed to transforming lives through exceptional support.
Submit your CV and a brief covering statement through our online application, or contact our recruitment team for an informal, confidential conversation about the role.
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. We are an equal-opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Pay: £45,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- 1. If you inherited a service tomorrow where staff morale was low, what would be your first leadership priority?
- 2. Which statement best reflects your leadership style?
☐ Lead from the front
☐ Coach and develop others
☐ Data and performance driven
☐ Collaborative decision maker
☐ Situational leader
Why?
- 3. What does a "good day" look like for a person living in supported living?
- 4. A support worker tells you:
"We've always done it this way."
What is your immediate thought?
- 5. Which is more important and why?
☐ Outstanding paperwork
☐ Outstanding outcomes
and Why
- 6. What is the strongest service improvement you have personally led in the last 12 months?
- 7. Which area of management do you enjoy most?
☐ Developing staff
☐ Service growth
☐ Quality & Compliance
☐ Working with individuals
☐ Building stakeholder relationships
- 8. Complete this sentence:
"The best Registered Manager I have ever worked with was someone who..."
Work Location: In person
