Assistant Service Manager

Avenues Group; King's Lynn; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Avenues Group is seeking an Assistant Service Manager to help launch a brand-new service in King's Lynn, supporting 17 people across 7 bungalows and 10 flats. You will shape operational systems from the ground up and build a strong, values‑driven team focused on independence, choice and inclusion.

You will work with the Service Manager to establish quality standards, lead recruitment, training and day‑to‑day management while ensuring regulatory compliance and person‑centred practice.

Qualifications

• Experience in health and social care, ideally with learning disabilities, autism or physical disabilities.
• Experience leading and developing staff teams and providing clear leadership.
• Passion for enabling people to live meaningful, active and independent lives.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Service Manager to establish and develop the new service, delivering high‑quality, person‑centred support from day one.
• Inspire, motivate and lead the team to provide outstanding support to the people we support.
• Support recruitment, induction, training, development and ongoing management of the team.
• Promote a culture of active support, independence, choice and inclusion.
• Ensure the service meets relevant legislation, CQC requirements, policies and procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

People management

Risk management

Education

Health & Social Care Level 3-5

Job description

Assistant Service Manager - King's Lynn

Salary: £27,969 per annum

Location: King's Lynn

Are you ready to be part of something new and make a real difference from day one?

We are looking for an Assistant Service Manager to join us at an exciting brand-new service in King's Lynn, supporting 17 people across 7 bungalows and 10 individual flats, located just five minutes from the town centre.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and passionate leader to join a service at the very beginning of its journey. As this is a brand-new service, you'll have the opportunity to help shape how the service operates, build a strong and positive team culture, and ensure the people we support are at the heart of everything we do.

The service will support people with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, physical disabilities and autism. Support will be provided on an individual, one-to-one basis, alongside a core staffing model of two staff on site 24 hours a day. As the people who will be moving into the service are not yet known, the final staffing structure and shift patterns are still being developed. We anticipate a sizeable team of at least 20 staff, providing an exciting opportunity for you to play a key role in developing and leading the team as the service grows.

Working closely with the Service Manager, you will help establish a high-quality, person-centred service from the ground up. You'll be a role model for the team, promoting active support, independence, choice and inclusion, while ensuring the service meets all relevant legislation, regulatory and organisational requirements.

What makes this role special?

You’ll be there from the beginning - helping shape a brand-new service and build a positive culture from day one.

You’ll help build a team - supporting recruitment, development, coaching and creating a strong sense of teamwork.

You’ll work alongside the Service Manager to establish excellent standards of support, compliance and person-centred practice.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence how the service develops, ensuring it reflects the individual needs, wishes and aspirations of the people we support.

You’ll be part of a collaborative organisation that puts people at the heart of everything we do.

What you’ll be doing

• Work closely with the Service Manager to establish and develop the new service, ensuring high-quality, person-centred support is delivered from the outset.
• Inspire, motivate and lead the team to provide outstanding support to the people we support.
• Support the recruitment, induction, training, development and ongoing management of the team.
• Promote a culture of active support, independence, choice and inclusion.
• Work alongside the Service Manager to ensure the service meets relevant legislation, CQC requirements, policies and procedures.
• Support the development and implementation of person-centred support plans, risk assessments and associated documentation.
• Monitor the quality of support being provided and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support staff through effective coaching, supervision and leadership by example.
• Build positive relationships with families, professionals and other key stakeholders.
• Support the people we support to access their local community, develop meaningful relationships and live active and fulfilling lives.
• Attend appointments, reviews and meetings where required.
• Ensure medication, health, safeguarding and risk management processes are followed effectively.
• Take an active role in the day-to-day management of the service and team.
• Work collaboratively with the Service Manager to achieve service objectives and KPIs.

Who we’re looking for

• Has experience of working in health and social care, ideally within a learning disability, autism or physical disability setting.
• Has experience of supporting and developing staff teams and is confident providing leadership.
• Has a genuine passion for enabling people to live meaningful, active and independent lives.
• Leads by example and understands the importance of person-centred and active support.
• Is confident managing risk, safeguarding and compliance.
• Can build positive relationships with the people we support, their families, colleagues and external professionals.
• Is organised, approachable and able to remain calm and solution-focused in a busy environment.
• Has a L evel 3-5 Health & Social Care qualification, or is willing to work towards one.
• Is excited by the opportunity to help build something new and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get involved.
• Most importantly, cares deeply about people and wants to make a genuine difference every day.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be desirable, although there will be no dedicated service vehicle. As the service is located just five minutes from King's Lynn town centre, there wi