Deputy Manager

Olive Recruit; Southampton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Olive Recruit is seeking an experienced Team Leader and Deputy Manager to provide leadership within high-acuity care packages in Southampton. You will balance hands-on support with team leadership, risk management and incident handling in 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1 staffing arrangements.

You will oversee care plans, PBS plans and risk assessments, recognise triggers, and support de‑escalation and safeguarding processes while ensuring safe staffing and compliance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in complex care, learning disability, autism, ABI, mental health or high-risk behavioural services.
• Experience working in 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 care packages, preferably in a leadership role.
• Strong experience supporting individuals with behaviours that challenge and physical aggression.
• Strong de-escalation and crisis management skills.
• Experience of physical intervention/restraint within a care setting.
• Experience leading or supervising staff during challenging situations.
• Experience with PBS plans, risk assessments and complex care plans.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, DoLS and least restrictive practice.
• Strong incident reporting and escalation skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading and supporting the staff team during shifts.
• Ensuring safe staffing and effective deployment within enhanced care packages.
• Ensuring care plans, PBS plans and risk assessments are followed consistently.
• Recognising triggers and early warning signs and supporting effective de-escalation.
• Leading the team during challenging behavioural incidents, including aggression, violence, absconding and self-injury.
• Ensuring restrictive interventions are only used when necessary, proportionate and appropriately authorised.
• Monitoring staff practice and addressing unsafe or inconsistent practice.
• Supporting staff supervision, development and competency.
• Completing and reviewing handovers, care records and incident reports.
• Supporting safeguarding, DoLS and least restrictive practice.
• Working closely with managers, clinical teams and other professionals.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Crisis management

De-escalation

PBS plans

Risk assessments

Safeguarding

Incident reporting

Communication

Education

Level 3 Health & Social Care qualification

Job description

Job Types: Full time, Permanent
Hours: 38 or 48 hours per week
Salary: £16.00 per hour
Location: Southampton

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Team Leader and Deputy Manager to provide leadership within high-acuity care packages supporting individuals with complex needs and behaviours that challenge.

You will work within 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1 staffing arrangements, combining hands‑on support with team leadership, risk management and incident management.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and supporting the staff team during shifts.
• Ensuring safe staffing and effective deployment within enhanced care packages.
• Ensuring care plans, PBS plans and risk assessments are followed consistently.
• Recognising triggers and early warning signs and supporting effective de‑escalation.
• Leading the team during challenging behavioural incidents, including aggression, violence, absconding and self‑injury.
• Ensuring restrictive interventions are only used when necessary, proportionate and appropriately authorised.
• Monitoring staff practice and addressing unsafe or inconsistent practice.
• Supporting staff supervision, development and competency.
• Completing and reviewing handovers, care records and incident reports.
• Supporting safeguarding, DoLS and least restrictive practice.
• Working closely with managers, clinical teams and other professionals.

About You

• Significant experience within complex care, learning disability, autism, ABI, mental health or high‑risk behavioural services.
• Experience working within 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 care packages, preferably in a leadership role.
• Strong experience supporting individuals with behaviours that challenge and physical aggression.
• Strong de‑escalation and crisis management skills.
• Experience of physical intervention/restraint within a care setting.
• Experience leading or supervising staff during challenging situations.
• Experience with PBS plans, risk assessments and complex care plans.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, DoLS and least restrictive practice.
• Strong incident reporting and escalation skills.

DMI (Dynamis) training is strongly preferred. PMVA or another recognised physical intervention qualification may also be considered.

Desirable

• Level 3 Health & Social Care qualification or equivalent.
• PBS, Autism, Learning Disability, ABI or Mental Health training.
• Experience conducting staff supervisions or competency assessments.
• Experience working alongside clinical or multidisciplinary teams.

You will be calm, confident and able to make safe decisions under pressure. You will have the confidence to lead a team, provide clear direction during challenging situations and challenge unsafe practice when required.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All colleagues are expected to share this commitment and participate fully in safeguarding training and processes.

The successful applicant will undergo a free enhanced disclosure from the disclosure barring service & other compliance checks required