Practice Leader
Location: Plymouth and surrounding areas
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, worked flexibly according to service needs
Driving requirement: Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
About New Direction Support
New Direction Support provides person-centred supported living services to adults with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, mental health needs and complex support needs.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Practice Leader to provide practical leadership across our services and support staff teams to deliver safe, high-quality care.
About the role
This is an office-based role, but you will not be based in the office all of the time. Alongside administration, reporting, meetings and quality assurance duties, you will be expected to spend regular time within our supported living services.
You will provide visible and practical support to staff teams, observe working practices, offer coaching and guidance, complete quality checks and ensure that safe, person-centred support is being delivered consistently.
Flexibility is essential, as some responsibilities must be completed at the times support is taking place. For example, medication competency assessments may need to be carried out at 8:00 am, 8:00 pm or 10:00 pm. You may also need to visit night-waking staff, attend services during early mornings or evenings, or respond to operational concerns outside standard office hours.
You will also take part in the management on-call rota. While on call, you will provide advice and guidance to staff outside normal office hours and help manage issues such as staff sickness, unplanned absences, safeguarding concerns, incidents and other urgent operational matters. Some situations may be resolved over the telephone, while others may require you to attend a service or assist with arranging emergency cover. The role would suit someone who is comfortable balancing office-based management duties with being present, approachable and actively involved across the services they oversee.
Main responsibilities
- Provide visible, practical leadership across supported living services.
- Support and develop staff through supervision, coaching and practice observations.
- Complete medication competencies and other staff assessments.
- Be apart of an on-call rota
- Develop and review support plans, risk assessments and Positive Behaviour Support plans.
- Promote independence, active support, positive risk-taking and person-cententred care.
- Monitor safeguarding, medication, health and safety, incidents and service quality.
- Complete audits and ensure actions are followed through.
- Work with families, social workers, health professionals and other agencies.
- Support rota management, staff absence and operational pressures.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure staff documentation is completed to a high standard.
- Participate in the management on-call rota and provide clear advice and support to staff.
- Respond appropriately to urgent incidents, safeguarding concerns, staffing issues and service emergencies while on call.
- Attend services or assist with emergency staffing cover where required.
- Visit and support day, evening and night staff as needed.
Essential requirements
- At least two years’ experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism or complex needs.
- At least two years’ supervisory or management experience in health or social care.
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, or willingness to work towards it.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act, risk management and CQC standards.
- Strong leadership, communication, organisation and IT skills.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure, make appropriate decisions and manage competing priorities.
- Confidence in providing advice and leadership during urgent or unexpected situations.
- Willingness to participate in the management on-call rota.
- Willingness to work flexibly, including early mornings, evenings and occasional night visits.
- Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
Personal qualities
We are looking for someone who is:
- Person-centred and committed to improving quality of life.
- Calm, reliable and organised.
- Supportive but confident in challenging poor practice.
- Able to motivate and develop staff.
- Comfortable making decisions and managing urgent issues while on call.
- Comfortable working both in the office and within services.
- A positive and professional role model.
Join New Direction Support and help us provide safe, compassionate and person-centred support that enables people to live fulfilling and independent lives.
Pay: £32,077.50 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Referral programme
Application question(s):
- Having read the job advert, are you willing and able to work flexibly according to the needs of the service, including early mornings, evenings, occasional late-night visits?
- This role includes participation in an on-call rota. Are you willing and able to undertake this responsibility?
Work Location: In person
