About the Role
As Team Leader, youandrsquo;ll provide clear, structured leadership to our local support teams in and around Smethwick, West Midlands. Youandrsquo;ll work under the guidance of the Registered Manager to make sure care is delivered safely and to a consistently high standard across your locations. This is a hands-on leadership role covering staff supervision, compliance, recruitment support and day-to-day service delivery for the people we support.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee and audit support plans, support records, medication records and financial records for your locations in line with company policy. Escalate and resolve any gaps within agreed timescales.
- Plan and manage staff rotas so shifts are fully covered, including managing staff shortages and travel disruption to minimise the impact on service users.
- Support recruitment in line with Unique Care Networkandrsquo;s recruitment policy, induct new staff, and organise ongoing supervisions and appraisals for support workers.
- Carry out regular spot checks to confirm support workers are delivering person-centred, high-quality care.
- Administer medication in line with company policy and complete medication competency assessments for support workers.
- Confirm that staff allocated to a service user are trained, competent and formally introduced before support starts.
- Keep service usersandrsquo; families informed of any changes, concerns or incidents.
- Work collaboratively with external professionals, and represent the service at professional and MDT meetings when the Registered Manager is absent.
- Apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Best Interests decision-making in day-to-day practice.
- Respond promptly to incidents, complaints and safeguarding concerns, including writing clear, accurate incident reports and safeguarding referrals.
Essential Criteria
- Level 3 Diploma in Health andamp; Social Care (or working towards, with a clear completion plan).
- At least 12 monthsandrsquo; experience in a supervisory or Team Leader role within domiciliary care, supported living or a similar setting.
- Demonstrable experience of audits, compliance checks or quality assurance, such as medication audits, care plan reviews or spot checks.
- Working knowledge of CQCandrsquo;s fundamental standards and current assessment framework.
- Practical understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, DoLS and adult safeguarding procedures.
- Enhanced DBS check (on the Update Service, or willingness to apply).
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, with willingness to travel between locations.
- Right to work in the UK.
Desirable
It would be an advantage if you hold or are working towards a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health andamp; Social Care. Experience signing off medication competencies for a staff team, or recruiting and inducting care staff, would also be valued.
What Youandrsquo;ll Need to Succeed
Youandrsquo;ll take a genuinely person-centred approach, treating the people we support as individuals with choices rather than tasks to complete. Youandrsquo;ll write clearly, particularly when completing incident reports and safeguarding referrals. Youandrsquo;ll stay calm and adapt quickly when plans change. Youandrsquo;ll be confident raising concerns when something isnandrsquo;t right, whether with families, staff or external agencies. And youandrsquo;ll be open to feedback and committed to your own development.
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent | Location: Smethwick, West Midlands (in person, travel between locations required)