About Unicare Supported Living Service
At Unicare Complex Care, we provide high-quality supported living services for adults with a wide range of needs, including mental health conditions, autism, learning disabilities (LD), and complex needs. Our focus is on delivering person-centred care, while ensuring that the rights and dignity of those we support are maintained at all times. With a focus on Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed care, we are committed to empowering our clients to lead more independent, fulfilling lives within a safe, secure, and nurturing environment.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Supported Living Team Leader to join our Brighton team. You will play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day delivery of care, leading a team of support staff, and ensuring the highest standards of care for our clients with mental health conditions, autism, and learning disabilities. As a Team Leader, you will support the development and implementation of individual care plans, ensuring they are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.
You will bring your experience in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed care to help create a supportive and empowering environment. The Team Leader will also act as the main point of contact for families, social workers, and other professionals, and ensure that the team follows all health, safety, and regulatory guidelines.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and Management: Supervise, mentor, and motivate a team of support workers, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Promote a positive team culture, providing coaching and support to develop skills and competencies.
- Client Care & Support: Lead by example in delivering high-quality care to adults with mental health needs, autism, and learning disabilities, ensuring person-centred care approaches are embedded in all aspects of service delivery.
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): Implement and review PBS strategies to manage behaviours of concern, ensuring interventions are tailored to the individual needs of clients.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Ensure that trauma-informed approaches are applied to every aspect of care delivery, creating an environment where clients feel safe, respected, and valued.
- Care Planning: Develop, review, and monitor individual care and support plans, ensuring they meet the needs of each client and are regularly updated in line with care goals.
- Training and Development: Ensure all staff are trained and up-to-date on relevant policies, procedures, and care models, including PBS, autism care, and mental health management.
- Regulatory Compliance: Maintain high standards of care and ensure compliance with all CQC (Care Quality Commission) regulations, safeguarding protocols, and local authority guidelines.
- Risk Management and Safeguarding: Assess, manage, and monitor risks associated with clients’ health, safety, and well-being. Act as a safeguarding lead, ensuring incidents and concerns are reported and dealt with appropriately.
- Family and Professional Liaison: Maintain strong communication with families, carers, and professionals, ensuring that all involved parties are informed of the care plans, changes in needs, and any concerns or developments.
- Administrative Support: Ensure accurate and up-to-date records are maintained, including care plans, incident reports, and team rotas.
Essential Criteria
- Experience: At least 2 years’ experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a supported living or residential care setting, supporting individuals with mental health needs, autism, and learning disabilities.
- Knowledge: Strong knowledge and experience in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), trauma-informed care, and other relevant care practices. Knowledge of CQC standards and regulations.
- Leadership: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of support workers, ensuring they deliver high-quality, compassionate care.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with clients, families, colleagues, and external professionals.
- Organisational Skills: Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively in a busy environment.
- Qualifications:
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Health & Social Care (or working towards it).
- Management qualification (or willingness to work towards).
- First Aid and Medication Administration certification (or willingness to undertake training).
- Personal Attributes: Compassionate, empathetic, and driven to support others to achieve independence. Ability to stay calm under pressure and deal with challenging situations professionally.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience with PBS and risk management plans in complex care settings.
- Additional qualifications in autism care, mental health, or learning disabilities.
- Understanding of Safeguarding and experience in managing safeguarding concerns.
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
- Training and career development opportunities, including PBS, mental health, and autism-specific training.
- Paid DBS check and comprehensive induction.
- Generous holiday entitlement.
- Pension scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme for support and advice.
How to Apply
To apply for the Supported Living Team Leader role, please send your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you would be a great fit for the role to [[email protected]] or apply through our website at [www.unicarecomplex.co.uk/jobs].
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £15.00-£16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Can you describe your experience in leading a team within a supported living or care setting?
- What strategies do you use to manage and motivate your team, especially during challenging or stressful situations?
- As a Team Leader, how do you ensure staff are adequately trained and equipped to support clients with autism, mental health, and LD?
- Describe a situation where you had to de-escalate a potentially harmful situation with a client using PBS or trauma-informed techniques. How did you approach the situation?
- Can you explain your experience in developing and reviewing individual care plans? How do you ensure that the plans are truly person-centred and align with the needs of the clients?
- How do you approach safeguarding concerns within the team and ensure the safety and well-being of clients? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to address a safeguarding issue?
- Tell us about a time when you had to liaise with external professionals, such as social workers or families. How did you ensure effective communication and collaboration?
- What personal values do you bring to your role as a Team Leader in supported living, and how do you ensure these values align with Unicare’s mission and care standards?
Experience:
- team leading: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
