Assistant Service Manager

United Response; Chester-le-Street; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced sick pay

Blue Light Card discounts

Free occupational health

Wellbeing days

Fully funded training

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Long service awards

Travel to Work scheme

Retail discounts

Job summary

United Response is seeking an Assistant Service Manager in Chester-Le-Street to lead day-to-day operations, ensure safe and person-centred support, and uphold high standards of care. You will supervise teams, drive quality, and help ensure regulatory compliance across the service.

The role requires experience in learning disabilities or mental health support, strong leadership, and the ability to travel between locations. NVQ3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in social care leadership roles or similar
• Experience supervising or developing staff teams
• Knowledge of safeguarding, CQC requirements and regulated activities

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day leadership and operational management of the service to ensure safe, effective, person-centred support
• Inspire and develop staff teams, champion best practice, oversee quality and compliance
• Support rota planning and on-call coverage; deputise for the Registered Manager when required

Skills

Staff supervision

Leadership

Safeguarding

CQC knowledge

IT skills

On-call rota

Travel between locations

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Job description

Assistant Service Manager

Location: Chester-Le-Street, Durham

Hours: 37.5 per week

Salary: £14.75 per hour (plus excellent benefits)

Contract: Permanent

Help People Live the Life They Choose.

Are you an experienced social care professional ready to take the next step in your leadership career?

At United Response, we're looking for an Assistant Service Manager to help lead and develop high-quality services that support people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs to live independently, achieve their goals and be active members of their communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a values-driven national charity where you'll have the chance to make a genuine difference every day while developing your management skills within a supportive and experienced leadership team.

Working alongside the Registered Manager, you'll play a key role in leading staff teams, maintaining excellent standards of care, ensuring compliance, and creating an environment where both the people we support and our colleagues can thrive.

Please note: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and be currently resident within the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

About the Role

As Assistant Service Manager, you'll support the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the service, helping to ensure safe, effective and person-centred support is delivered at all times.

You'll inspire and develop staff teams, champion best practice, oversee quality and compliance, and support the delivery of outstanding outcomes for the people we support.

You'll be responsible for:

• Supporting the leadership, supervision and development of staff teams
• Driving high-quality, person-centred support and positive outcomes
• Supporting safeguarding, risk management and safe working practices
• Maintaining compliance with CQC regulations and organisational standards
• Monitoring quality, performance and continuous improvement activities
• Supporting rota planning and operational delivery
• Deputising for the Registered Manager when required
• Building positive relationships with families, professionals and stakeholders

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines compassion with leadership and is passionate about helping people live great lives.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and/or mental health needs
• Experience supervising, coaching or developing staff teams
• Knowledge of safeguarding, CQC requirements and regulated activities
• Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills
• Confidence managing day-to-day service operations
• Good IT and administrative skills
• Flexibility to participate in an on-call rota
• The ability to travel between locations when required

Essential Qualification

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, Social Care Management or equivalent

Don't Meet Every Requirement?

If you share our values and believe you have the potential to succeed in this role, we'd still love to hear from you.

At United Response, we're committed to developing talented people and creating opportunities for career progression. We recognise that not everyone will meet every requirement, and we're proud to invest in our colleagues through training, mentoring and development.

What We Offer

In return, we'll help you build a rewarding career and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Enhanced company sick pay and maternity/paternity pay
• Blue Light Card discounts and Costco membership (T&Cs apply)
• Free occupational health, physiotherapy, counselling and wellbeing support
• Two wellbeing days per year
• Fully funded training and nationally recognised qualifications
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• UR STARS employee recognition programme
• Workplace pension scheme
• Long service awards
• Travel to Work scheme (season ticket loan)
• Access to discounts from over 3,500 retailers

About United Response

United Response is a leading national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs. We are committed to helping people live independently, participate in their communities and achieve their goals.

Everything we do is guided by our values: Connected, Empowered, Driven and Bold.

We are proud of our inclusive culture and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to reach their full potential.

United Response is a Disability Confident Leader and an equal opportunities employer. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria and are committed to supporting applicants with mental and physical health conditions throughout the recruitment process.