Service Manager - Seaford

Lifeway’s Group; Seaford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Service Manager Bonus Scheme

Competitive pension scheme

Wellbeing and mental health support

Job summary

Lifeways in Seaford is seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead two established supported living services for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs. You will provide strong operational leadership, ensure high care standards and drive improvements across both sites.

The successful candidate will have a hands-on leadership style, a solid CQC knowledge base, and the ability to inspire teams while maintaining person-centred support.

Qualifications

• Experience in a management role within supported living, residential or domiciliary care.
• Strong knowledge of CQC requirements, safeguarding and quality standards.
• Hands-on leadership style with ability to inspire teams and hold people accountable.
• Ability to lead change and drive improvement.
• Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and/or complex behaviours.
• NVQ Level 5 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day leadership, performance and development of two supported living services in Seaford
• Lead, motivate and develop your teams to deliver safe, effective and person-centred support
• Ensure consistently high standards of care, safeguarding, compliance and quality assurance across both services
• Build strong relationships with the people we support, their families, colleagues and external stakeholders
• Drive service development, continuous improvement and positive culture change
• Lead effectively through change, ensuring improvements are embedded and sustained
• Develop and support your teams through coaching, performance management and strong visible leadership
• Monitor service performance and take ownership of achieving key operational and quality objectives

Skills

Leadership

CQC knowledge

People management

Change management

Site coordination

Driver's licence

Education

NVQ Level 5 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent)

Job description

At Lifeways, we’re passionate about making a real difference to people’s lives by supporting them to live independently and achieve their goals. In Seaford, we have two services supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

We invest in our people, offer opportunities for career development and provide a supportive environment where you can thrive.

Join Lifeways in Seaford and make a difference every day.

Location: Seaford, East Sussex – overseeing two supported living services

Salary: Competitive salary plus Service Manager Bonus Scheme

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious Service Manager to lead two established supported living services in Seaford, supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, and complex support requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident leader who can balance strong operational management with genuinely person-centred support. You will provide leadership across both services, developing your teams, maintaining high standards of care and compliance, and driving continuous improvement to ensure the people we support achieve the best possible outcomes.

Whether you are an experienced Service Manager ready for your next challenge, or an ambitious Deputy Manager looking to step up into a Service Manager role, we would love to hear from you.

In this role, you will:

• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day leadership, performance and development of two supported living services in Seaford
• Lead, motivate and develop your teams to deliver safe, effective and person-centred support
• Ensure consistently high standards of care, safeguarding, compliance and quality assurance across both services
• Build strong relationships with the people we support, their families, colleagues and external stakeholders
• Drive service development, continuous improvement and positive culture change
• Lead effectively through change, ensuring improvements are embedded and sustained
• Develop and support your teams through coaching, performance management and strong visible leadership
• Monitor service performance and take ownership of achieving key operational and quality objectives

What You’ll Bring

• Experience in a management role within supported living, residential or domiciliary care
• Strong knowledge of CQC requirements, safeguarding and quality standards
• A confident, hands-on leadership style with the ability to inspire teams and hold people accountable
• The resilience and confidence to lead change, manage challenges and drive improvement
• Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and/or complex behaviours
• NVQ Level 5 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it
• Strong organisational, operational and people-management skills
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel locally between services where required

Above all, you’ll bring compassion, resilience and strong leadership, with the ability to create a positive culture and make a meaningful difference to the people we support.

Why Join Lifeways?

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of two services in Seaford, with the autonomy to lead, develop and make a real impact while being supported by an experienced wider leadership team.

We offer:

• Strong leadership support and ongoing professional development
• Clear career progression opportunities
• A positive, values-led culture where your contribution is recognised
• Annual Service Manager Bonus Scheme
• Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health support resources
• Recognition schemes that celebrate your impact
• Retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through CHOICE Rewards

Caring – Honest – One Team – Innovative – Courageous – Equal.