Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced CQC Deputy Manager to join our dynamic care team. The Deputy Manager supports the Registered Manager in the day-to-day leadership and quality assurance of Verus Care & Support's CQC-registered supported living service. The role is central to the growth of an already-established service: as the organisation expands its staffing base and supported individual numbers, the Deputy Manager provides the operational grip, staff leadership and regulatory oversight that allows the Registered Manager to focus on strategic development. The postholder deputises fully for the Registered Manager in their absence, including for CQC and local authority liaison.
Duties
- Person-centred support: Ensure all supported individuals receive support that is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, in line with CQC's five key questions.
- Support planning: Oversee the development, implementation and regular review of support plans, risk assessments and outcome-focused goals.
- Quality monitoring: Carry out regular spot checks, medication audits, file audits and environmental checks; identify and act on shortfalls.
- Safeguarding: Act as a point of contact for safeguarding concerns, ensuring timely reporting, investigation and liaison with the Local Authority Designated Officer and safeguarding teams.
- Incident management: Lead on the immediate response to incidents, accidents and near-misses, ensuring accurate recording and follow-up action.
- Recruitment: Support safer recruitment activity as the staff team expands, including shortlisting, interviewing and onboarding new Support Workers and Senior Support Workers.
- Supervision & appraisal: Deliver regular supervision, annual appraisals and probation reviews in line with Verus's HR framework.
- Training & development: Ensure staff complete mandatory training and support progression toward relevant QCF/RQF qualifications.
- Rota management: Build and manage staff rotas to ensure safe staffing levels across a growing number of supported living services, including holiday and sickness cover.
- Performance management: Address conduct, capability and attendance issues promptly and fairly, escalating to the Registered Manager or HR as required.
- CQC readiness: Maintain audit-ready documentation and evidence files that map to the CQC's Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) at all times, not just ahead of inspection.
- Policy adherence: Ensure staff practice reflects current CQC regulations, the Fundamental Standards, and Verus's own policies and procedures.
- Statutory notifications: Support the Registered Manager in submitting statutory notifications to CQC where required.
- Data protection: Maintain confidentiality and GDPR-compliant record-keeping across all support and staff records.
The Deputy Manager is a key member of the out-of-hours on-call rota, providing telephone-based management support and escalation cover to staff across all Verus supported living services outside of core office hours.
- Rota pattern: Shared on-call rota with other senior staff, approximately 13 weeks per year (roughly 1 week in 4 on average, evenings, overnight, weekends and bank holidays). Being available on the rota is a core, contractual part of the role and is not separately paid.
- Payment: No allowance is paid simply for being on the rota. Payment is only triggered where the postholder is required to physically attend a service - at the applicable rate (e.g. the sleep-in rate for overnight attendance).
- Scope: First point of contact for staff facing safeguarding concerns, incidents, medication errors, staffing shortfalls or emergencies; provides guidance and escalates to senior management, emergency services or CQC as needed.
- Call-out: Occasional requirement to attend a service in person to support staff or supported individuals where a telephone response is insufficient.
- Record-keeping: Log all on-call contacts and actions taken, handing over any open issues to the office team the following working day.
Person Specification
- Minimum 2 years' experience in a supervisory or senior support role within adult social care
- Working knowledge of CQC Fundamental Standards and the regulatory framework for supported living
- Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care (or working towards Level 5)
- Experience of staff supervision, rota management and safeguarding processes
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between sites
- Willingness and ability to participate in the on-call rota
Desirable
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care (or equivalent)
- Experience supporting a CQC inspection or mobilising a new service
- Experience within a growing or multi-site care organisation
Pay: £30,000.00-£32,200.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
Experience:
- deputy or supervisory: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
