Service Leader

Spider; Nacton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Spider is advertising a Service Leader role based in Felixstowe, Suffolk, to support autistic adults and people with learning disabilities. The position is permanent with flexible hours; salary £35,000-£40,000 per annum depending on experience.

You will oversee individualised supported living and community services, lead staff, ensure safeguarding and compliance with CQC and the Mental Capacity Act, and work with families and healthcare professionals to drive continuous quality improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting autistic adults and/or learning disabilities with complex needs.
• Experience supervising or leading staff.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and Mental Capacity Act.
• Excellent communication and professional judgement.
• Willingness to pursue relevant qualifications and CQC registration if eligible.

Responsibilities

• Lead person-centred support and respect individual communication and needs.
• Observe, guide and develop staff; address poor practice.
• Oversee support plans, risk assessments, safeguarding, medicines, incidents.
• Ensure compliance with CQC requirements and the Mental Capacity Act.
• Recruit, induct, supervise, train and manage performance.
• Collaborate with families, representatives and healthcare professionals.
• Monitor service quality, maintain records and drive improvement.

Skills

Staff supervision

People leadership

Communication skills

Safeguarding

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Level 5 qualification

Registered Manager experience

Job description

Service Leader - Spider is advertising on behalf of a specialist adult small supports provider seeking an experienced and compassionate Service Leader to support autistic adults and people with learning disabilities. This is a permanent position based in Felixstowe, Suffolk, with full-time and part-time applications considered.

Salary: £35,000-£40,000 per annum, depending on experience.

About the role

As Service Leader, you will oversee the quality of individualised supported living and community support services, ensuring each person's communication, choices, rights and wellbeing shape their everyday care.

• Lead person-centred support, respecting individual communication, sensory needs and preferences
• Observe, guide and develop staff, challenging poor practice and promoting reflective learning
• Oversee support plans, risk assessments, safeguarding, medicines practice and incident management
• Ensure compliance with CQC requirements, the Mental Capacity Act and relevant legislation
• Support staff recruitment, induction, supervision, training and performance management
• Work collaboratively with families, representatives and healthcare professionals
• Monitor service quality, maintain accurate records and drive continuous improvement

About you

• You will have experience supporting autistic adults and/or adults with learning disabilities, including individuals with complex needs, alongside proven experience supervising or leading staff.
• You'll demonstrate a strong understanding of adult safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and regulated adult social care, with the ability to recognise and respond to non‑verbal communication.
• You'll be compassionate, curious and confident addressing poor practice, with excellent communication, professional judgement and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience in CQC-regulated supported living, Intensive Interaction, AAC, quality assurance or staff development would be advantageous.
• A Level 5 qualification or Registered Manager experience is desirable but not essential. You must be willing to work towards relevant qualifications and potential CQC registration, subject to eligibility, regulatory requirements and approval. Induction, supervision and an agreed development plan will be provided.

About Them

This specialist provider delivers small, highly individualised support services to autistic adults and people with learning disabilities, placing compassion, dignity, relationships, quality and collaboration at the heart of its approach.

Spider is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates. Please advise us of any reasonable adjustments required during recruitment.