Deputy Manager
We're looking for an organised, compassionate and resilient Deputy Manager to join our Homelessness Social Care service in Westminster.
£35,173.58 per annum, working 40 hours per week.
Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.
The Deputy Contract Manager is responsible for the operational management of our specialist customer focused support services across the service. Working in partnership with stakeholders, external agencies and our Commissioning Team, you lead your Team to offer high quality support to customers to maintain their tenancies and empower people to live their best lives and move to independence. Responsible for Safeguarding our customers, you will promote sector best practice and legislative compliance to keep our customers safe within their environment.
The role provides direct line management, leadership, coaching and support to Support Workers, Specialist Support Workers and Night Support Workers, ensuring compliance with current legislation, contractual requirements financial regulations and Look Ahead Policy and Procedures.
This role deputises for the Service Manager and/or Area Service Manager when required.
The shift pattern for this role involves Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, with 1 Sunday per month.
What you'll do:
Service Management
* Develop and promote key business relationships with stakeholders to achieve excellence in service delivery and maximise new business opportunities
* Ensure that all Statutory and Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) are proactively met or exceeded. Demonstrate value for money services.
* Participate in and monitor the initial and continuous assessment of Customer needs to ensure support planning and risk management is completed in accordance with Customer, LACS and statutory requirements.
* Ensure all safeguarding cases are managed within LACS safeguarding protocols, are reported appropriately and within corporate timescales.
* Responsible for health and safety compliance for staff and all buildings within the cluster.
* Take part in the out of hours on-call service, where required
People Management
* Lead and motivate your team to foster a forward thinking, positive "can do" working environment and culture
* Deliver motivational and effective supervision and team meetings to empower staff with relevant information appropriate to their role.
* Lead, coach and mentor staff to support career aspirations
* Comply with LACS management reporting requirements and adhere to LACS HR Policies and Procedures when required
* Ensure Look Ahead Health and Safety policies and procedures are always adhered to and uphold all health and safety responsibilities within relevant policies and local protocols
* Adhere to all LACS policies and procedures including service specific processes, and statutory requirements
* Carry out other administrative tasks as relevant to the service and directed by the Area Service Manager / Head of Operations
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead
About you:
* Leadership and Management - Passionate, enthusiastic and motivated towards excellence and the continuous improvement of the Service and personal performance with a solution focused, pro-active can-do attitude. Adept at talent management and developing employees career progression. Handles conflict management professionally. Open to feedback and self-development.
* Motivating - Inspires people to achieve LACS goals and vision. Enjoys dynamic diverse environments. The forerunner of ideas: acts persuasively, encouraging others to go beyond their expectations.
* Planning - good time management skills, well organised and makes the best use of available resource, forward thinking and able to mitigate risks and demonstrate value for money.
* Communication - An excellent and honest communicator at all levels, with an empathetic, approachable and open approach. Is respectful, articulate and has a considered style of communication. Assertive when necessary.
* Decision-making - Has a practical and logical outlook and is well organised. Is fundamentally confident, calm and resilient and does not let emotion adversely impact situations or obscure judgement. Handles pressure well.
* Delegation - Builds a culture of mutual trust, focusing on peoples strengths, does not micromanage and offers encouragement, support and guidance when required
What you'll bring:
Essential:
* Minimum 3 years' experience of supporting vulnerable adults
* GCSEs in English and Maths (grade A-C)
* Health and Social Care qualification
* Knowledge of Safeguarding and Mental Capacity processes
* Experience of leading and managing a team
* Possess excellent leadership skills with a positive, can-do attitude
* Ability to demonstrate positive personal authority and maintain proactive working relationships
* Ability to create and maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders
* Demonstrable verbal and written communication skills
* Experience of using Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word
Desirable:
* PBS qualification
* NVQ Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification in Health and Social Care
* Up to date knowledge of current social care legislation
* Demonstrable experience of HR processes - Probation, Capability, Disciplinary
About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.