Hub Lead / Team Leader (SEND & Day Opportunities)
Organisation: Down Syndrome Development Trust
About us: www.downsyndromedevelopment.org.uk
Insta: @downsyndromedt
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Working pattern: Typically Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, with occasional weekend working to meet service needs (planned in advance where possible). Weekend working will be managed through time off in lieu (TOIL) and/or additional pay in line with organisational policy.
Location: Unit 1b, Sussex Innovation Centre, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SB, plus University of Sussex campus and community locations in the local area.
Salary: £30,000–£35,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications).
Job Summary
Are you skilled in leading a team and committed to supporting people with a learning disability to get the most out of life? If so, you might be well suited to our Team Leader position in the DSDT Day opportunities.For a rewarding and fulfilling career, this is an opportunity to lead our great team supporting adults with a learning disability within our day opportunities at the Sussex Innovation Centre. This role is key to the team, making a real positive impact on the lives of the people who attend. We aim to create a work environment which continuously develops the team, ensuring the people who attend the Hub achieve great outcomes and access new meaningful opportunities.This role ensures there are timetabled activities which promote friendships, teach independence skills, and involve clients in their local community. Leading a team of Support Workers, ensuring we have fit and proper staff, who provide a service to our young people.
Down Syndrome Development Trust is seeking an enthusiastic, professional and experienced SEND practitioner to lead our Social and Learning day opportunity provision based at the Sussex Innovation Centre, Falmer , University of Sussex Brighton.
The provision supports young people aged 16-25 with Down syndrome and other disabilities, who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). We provide a holistic social and learning environment to strengthen life skills, work-related skills, communication, social development and independence.
This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for a forward-thinking, values-led leader who can develop and maintain a safe, inclusive, ambitious programme of activities. The role combines functional skills learning, enrichment, and differentiated work experience opportunities, delivered through a person-centred approach.
Key Responsibilities
1) Leadership, culture and quality
- Lead the day-to-day delivery of the hub provision, ensuring a safe, structured and stimulating environment.
- Line manage and support staff, including volunteers (as applicable), including induction, supervision, coaching and performance support.
- Develop a positive team culture that reflects safeguarding, dignity, inclusion, respect and high expectations.
- Maintain clear routines, standards and consistent practice across the programme.
2) Learning, activities and work experience
- Deliver teaching/support to individuals and small groups within the hub and/or community settings, adapting methods and resources to meet a range of needs.
- Design, coordinate and continuously improve a programme of activities aligned to EHCP outcomes and individual goals.
- Create and manage work experience opportunities, including functional skills and employability development, appropriate to young people’s strengths and support needs.
- Prepare and adapt resources to support progress (including differentiated materials).
3) Community learning and partnerships
- Organise learning outside of the hub, including community activities such as visits, outings, sporting events and partner-led opportunities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with parents/guardians, university partners, local organisations and relevant professionals.
- Represent the provision professionally in meetings and partnership settings.
4) Assessment, planning and reporting
- Support assessment and planning processes and contribute to person-centred plans and targets.
- Maintain accurate records (digital and/or paper) including progress updates and evidence of outcomes.
- Prepare written reports for local authorities, funders, and other stakeholders as required.
- Contribute to planning and budgeting for projects, enrichment, work experience and community outreach.
5) Safeguarding, health & safety and compliance
- Promote and uphold safeguarding practice at all times, responding appropriately to concerns in line with policy and procedure.
- Complete and maintain risk assessments and support plans relevant to activities, community learning and individual needs.
- Support young people’s personal care and/or medical needs where required, in line with training, guidance and agreed plans.
- Ensure policies and procedures are followed consistently (including data protection/confidentiality).
6) Flexible working approach
- Work flexibly, adapting to organisational needs, includes occasional weekend working, to support events, trips, work experience and service delivery requirements.
Person Specification
Essential qualifications / experience
- 3–5+ years’ leadership experience in a relevant setting (SEND, education, disability services, social care, day opportunities, supported employment, youth provision).
- Degree-level qualification in social care or a closely related field (e.g., Health & Social Care, Social Science, Education, Psychology) or equivalent qualifications/experience demonstrating graduate-level practice.
- Strong SEND/disability experience supporting young people/young adults with additional needs.
- Experience managing a small team (or substantial senior/lead responsibility), including coordinating work and maintaining standards.
- Excellent written communication skills, including confident report writing.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities safely and effectively.
Essential skills and attributes
- Values-led approach: kindness, respect, inclusion, safeguarding and high expectations.
- Confident decision-making, initiative and problem-solving.
- Adaptable and responsive to young people’s needs; able to adjust plans quickly and appropriately.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with young people and families.
- Calm under pressure; able to manage competing demands.
- Willingness and ability to work flexibly, including occasional weekend working.
Desirable
- Experience in settings with strong compliance requirements (regulated or governance-heavy environments).
- Knowledge of quality standards, audits, and safeguarding best practice.
- Knowledge of social media/basic marketing platforms to support programme visibility (within safeguarding/consent requirements).
Safeguarding and pre-employment checks
- Enhanced DBS disclosure required (including update service registration)
- Full UK driving licence required.
- Hold a UK Work permit.
Applications: Closing date 30th June 2026. Please email a CV and short supporting statement to [email protected]. MOB: 07897 37839 Landline: 01323 890654
Candidates may be shortlisted and interviewed as applications are received.
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Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
