Job Description
Are you an experiencedSenior Support Worker, Deputy Team Leader, or existing Team Leaderin mental health, learning disability, or complex care services looking for your next step with a values-led provider that will genuinely back your development?
Unicare is recruiting aTeam Leaderto support the day-to-day delivery of our community-based mental health services across Sussex. You'll lead a team of support workers supporting adults with serious mental illness, dual diagnoses, and co-occurring complex needs helping them live safely, independently, and well in their own homes and communities.
This is a hands-on, field-based leadership role for someone who can balance the operational rhythm of a community service with the human work of supporting people through difficult periods of their recovery.
About Unicare
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is a CQC-registered specialist care provider delivering high-quality supported living and complex care services to adults withautism, learning disabilities, mental health needs, and complex behaviours. We operate across Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, and South London. Our mental health services are commissioner-funded, person-centred, and built around enabling independence not managing dependency.
What you'll be doing
Leadership & team supervision
* Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of support workers in the community
* Conduct supervisions, spot checks, and appraisals
* Support rotas, allocations, and continuity of care for each person we support
* Champion learning, reflection, and continuous improvement within the team
* Participate in the on-call rota to support staff out of hours
Person-centred mental health support
* Be the day-to-day point of accountability for the wellbeing of a small caseload of people we support
* Ensure care is delivered in line with each person's support plan, crisis and contingency plans, and risk assessments
* Build trusted, respectful relationships with the people we support recognising recovery as a non-linear journey
* Support team members to use trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches in their daily work
Safeguarding & risk
* Act as a senior point of escalation for safeguarding concerns
* Understand and respond to risks around self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, hoarding, financial exploitation, and disengagement
* Liaise effectively with community mental health teams, crisis teams, GPs, social workers, and other professionals
* Recognise deterioration early and act to support the person, the team, and the wider service
Medication & clinical safety
* Oversee safe medication support in line with NICE guidance and Unicare policy
* Support the team to manage psychotropic medications, depot injections (where applicable), and medication concordance
Records, audit & quality
* Ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality records across the service
* Carry out and review support plans, risk assessments, and behaviour support plans
* Contribute to internal audits and quality improvement work
* Support commissioner reporting and contract compliance
What we're looking for
Essential
* Demonstrable experience supporting adults withserious mental illness(psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, severe depression and anxiety, dual diagnosis)
* Previoussupervisory, senior, or team leaderexperience in health and social care
* Strong understanding ofsafeguarding adultsand Mental Capacity Act 2005 principles
* Knowledge oftrauma-informed, strengths-based, and recovery-focusedapproaches
* Confident producing and reviewingsupport plans, risk assessments, and crisis plans
* Excellent communication and de-escalation skills
* Comfortable workinglone workingin community settings with appropriate safeguards in place
* Full UK driving licence and own vehicle(non-negotiable for a community role)
* Willingness to participate inon-call rotacovering evenings and weekends
* Eligibility forEnhanced DBS check (Adult Workforce)
* Right to work in the UK on a permanent basis without sponsorship
Desirable
* NVQ/QCF Level 3 or abovein Health & Social Care; or working toward Level 5
* Training or experience inPBS, Team Teach, ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, or de-escalation
* Knowledge of theCare Programme Approach (CPA)or the new Community Mental Health Framework
* Experience working withSussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, community mental health teams, or local authority commissioners
* Experience supporting people withdual diagnosis(mental health + substance misuse)
* Understanding of theMental Health Act 1983and Community Treatment Orders
What you'll get in return
* £15 an hour salary with possibility of increase with career progression
* Funded training and development, including Level 5 support for the right candidate
* 28 days annual leaveincluding bank holidays
* Workplace pension scheme
* Clear progression path within a growing organisation
* Direct working relationship with the Registered Manager and senior leadership
* Supportive, values-led culture your judgement is trusted and your development is invested in
* The genuine satisfaction of helping people rebuild lives that mental illness has disrupted
Who this role IS for
* ASenior Support Worker or Deputy Team Leaderin mental health, LD, or complex care ready to step up
* Anexisting Team Leaderseeking a more supportive provider that genuinely invests in its people
* Someone who finds the work of mental health support genuinely meaningful not just clinically interesting
* Someone who lives within sensible reach of Sussex and is comfortable covering the patch
Who this role is NOT for
* Someone seeking a 9-to-5 office role with no flexibility
* Someone uncomfortable with the unpredictability inherent to mental health support
* Someone without a driving licence and own vehicle
* We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role
Safeguarding statement
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post isexempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974and is subject to anEnhanced DBS check, full reference checks, and satisfactory completion of our safer recruitment process. The successful candidate's appointment will be conditional on these checks.
How to apply
ClickApply Nowand submit your CV along with a short covering note (a paragraph is fine) telling us:
* Your experience supporting adults with serious mental illness
* Your supervisory or team leader experience
* Why this role appeals to you
Shortlisted candidates will complete a short pre-screening questionnaire followed by an interview at our local Sussex office, which may include a scenario-based exercise reflecting the realities of the role.
We review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive strong interest so please apply promptly.
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workforce.
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