Head of Dementia Care

OSJCT Group; Melksham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday (including Bank Hols)

Company pension

Life assurance

Free uniform

Free DBS

Employee Assistance Programme

Blue Light Card & My Rewards

Job summary

OSJCT Group is recruiting for Head of Dementia Care at Melksham Gardens, a new 80-bed home opening in 2027. Based in Melksham, Wiltshire, the role leads dementia care teams, shaping care standards and resident wellbeing from the outset.

You'll oversee operational management of dementia households, support staff development, and work with Admiral Nurses and families to deliver person-centred care, ensuring dignity and independence for residents.

Qualifications

• QCF Level 3 in Dementia Care and a Level 3 Team Leadership certificate are required or expected.
• Proven track record leading and managing a team within a dementia care setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop provision of person-centred dementia care across shifts.
• Manage dementia households to ensure high-quality care and staff competence.
• Promote best practices, provide guidance, and support colleagues.
• Collaborate with Admiral Nurses, families, and external agencies to plan care.
• Establish a positive culture and dementia care standards from the start.

Skills

Leadership

Dementia care

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

QCF Level 3 in Dementia Care

Level 3 Certificate in Team Leadership

Job description

Head of Dementia Care

Location: Melksham, Wiltshire

Salary: £32,000-£34,000 per annum

Contracted Hours: 42 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

MELKSHAM GARDENS - A BRAND-NEW CARE HOME OPENING IN 2027

Be part of something from the very beginning.

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Head of Dementia Care to join the team at Melksham Gardens, our brand-new 80-bed care home in Melksham.

RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY

Come and meet the team and find out more:

Wednesday 21st October 10am - 3pm Melksham Town Hall - Council Chamber

Come along to find out more about Melksham Gardens, the Head of Dementia Care role and what it's like to be part of a brand-new care home team. We'd love to meet you!

A LITTLE ABOUT MELKSHAM GARDENS

Our new purpose-built home on Longleaze Lane will provide residential, nursing and dementia care, alongside respite and day care.

The home will feature 80 en-suite bedrooms, landscaped gardens, private dining, a cinema, gym and wellbeing facilities, activities room, salon and spa, and family accommodation. Innovative technology, including circadian lighting and acoustic monitoring, will support our person-centred approach to care.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

Joining a brand-new home is exciting - but it is also different.

Depending on the progress of the home, you may join us during the preparation and mobilisation period or as we welcome our first residents. Your exact start date may therefore be subject to change and could be later than initially anticipated.

We're looking for an experienced dementia care leader who is comfortable with change and excited to help shape a home from the very beginning. Your knowledge, compassion and leadership will be invaluable as the team comes together and establishes the standards, routines and culture of Melksham Gardens.

This is an opportunity to help develop our approach to dementia care, support colleagues to build their confidence and create an environment where residents living with dementia feel safe, valued and understood.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you a care leader with experience working in a dementia care setting and the passion to make a difference?

Can you lead and inspire a team to deliver outstanding, person-centred care to residents living with dementia?

Our care teams make a real difference every day, and your professionalism, kindness and compassion will be at the heart of everything you do. Working collaboratively with the home management team, you'll lead and develop the provision of person-centred dementia care, supporting residents with a range of needs, including complex situations and times of distress.

You'll take responsibility for the operational management of the dementia households, ensuring colleagues are competent and confident in delivering high-quality care across all shifts. Through promoting best practice, providing guidance and offering ongoing support, you'll help create a team that understands dementia and recognises each resident as an individual.

You'll work closely with residents to support them in making decisions about their care, promoting independence, dignity and choice wherever possible. You'll also work alongside our Admiral Nurses, external agencies, and residents’ families, carers and friends to plan and implement care that supports wellbeing and helps residents continue to live fulfilled and meaningful lives.

As part of a brand-new home, you'll have the opportunity to help establish the approach to dementia care from the outset, develop colleagues’ skills and embed a positive culture where residents receive the understanding, support and compassion they deserve.

Some days will bring challenges as the home and team develop, but you'll also have the opportunity to make a lasting difference and help create an exceptional environment for residents, their families and colleagues.

ABOUT YOU

You'll have a QCF Level 3 in Dementia Care, or equivalent, together with a Level 3 Certificate in Team Leadership, or a willingness to work towards one. You'll also have a proven track record of leading and managing a team within a dementia care setting.

You'll be a positive role model who can work autonomously and remain calm under pressure, with excellent communication and organisational skills and a natural ability to build positive relationships with others.

As a supportive and approachable leader, you'll know how to motivate colleagues, encourage professional development and help your team deliver the best possible care to residents at all times.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about improving the lives of people living with dementia and committed to promoting dignity, independence and meaningful choice. You'll be adaptable, proactive and enthusiastic about the opportunity to help establish a new care home and shape a positive dementia care culture from the very beginning.

AND IN RETURN

As Head of Dementia Care, you'll work to the Trust's Head of Dementia Care Competency Framework and receive ongoing professional development and monthly supervision from an Admiral Nurse. You'll also benefit from their expertise and support during regular visits to the home.

The Trust is a great place to work. We've been providing care for almost 1,000 years and we're currently the second largest not-for-profit provider in the UK. Not-for-profit means that we reinvest every penny we make into our residents, colleagues and the care homes we live and work in.

We're committed to supporting our colleagues to grow and develop, offering opportunities for career progression and training within a nurturing, engaging and rewarding environment.

Here are some of the benefits you'll enjoy as a valued member of our team:

• 30 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
• A Company pension
• Life assurance
• Free uniform
• Free DBS
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Blue Light Card and "My Rewards" programme, offering discounts on shopping, days out, restaurants and much more

BE PART OF THE BEGINNING

If you have the experience, leadership skills and passion to make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia, we'd love to hear from you.

Come and help us make Melksham Gardens a truly exceptional place to live, work and belong, where residents living with dementia receive outstanding care, compassion and support.