Supported Living Development Manager (Qualified Social Worker)

Direct Homecare; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Travel across Northern Ireland

Job summary

Direct Homecare in Belfast, Northern Ireland, seeks a Senior Supported Living Development Manager, Qualified Social Worker, to lead the development and ongoing oversight of its supported living services. The role is full-time and hybrid, with travel across Northern Ireland.

You will design service models, coordinate pathways, and supervise staff while ensuring safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

Qualifications

• Recognised degree-level qualification in Social Work.
• Current registration as a Qualified Social Worker with the NI Social Care Council, or eligibility to register before starting employment.
• Extensive post-qualification experience in adult social care.
• Experience with learning disabilities, autism, complex health needs or challenging behaviours.

Responsibilities

• Developing and leading Direct Homecare’s supported living model and operational framework.
• Establishing referral, assessment, transition and service mobilisation pathways.
• Completing and overseeing comprehensive social work assessments.
• Assessing individuals’ needs, risks and desired outcomes to inform support plans.
• Supervising and mentoring staff and promoting professional development.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance and safeguarding in all service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Decision making

Education

Degree in Social Work

Job description

Direct Homecare passionately delivers bespoke live-in, visiting and supported living services, with respect, dignity and compassion at the core of every service.

In Northern Ireland, Direct Homecare provides regulated domiciliary care and supported living services under the oversight of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority. We develop personalised packages of care and support around each person’s assessed needs, preferences, aspirations and desired outcomes.

Our supported living services enable people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs to live as independently as possible in their own homes. Support is delivered in partnership with individuals, families, Health and Social Care Trusts, housing providers and multidisciplinary professionals.

All nurses, healthcare assistants, support workers and care workers receive ongoing training and competency assessment, ensuring that support is safe, responsive and closely matched to each person’s individual requirements.

Role Description

Company Description

Direct Homecare passionately delivers bespoke live-in, visiting and supported living services, with respect, dignity and compassion at the core of every service.

In Northern Ireland, Direct Homecare provides regulated domiciliary care and supported living services under the oversight of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority. We develop personalised packages of care and support around each person’s assessed needs, preferences, aspirations and desired outcomes.

Our supported living services enable people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs to live as independently as possible in their own homes. Support is delivered in partnership with individuals, families, Health and Social Care Trusts, housing providers and multidisciplinary professionals.

All nurses, healthcare assistants, support workers and care workers receive ongoing training and competency assessment, ensuring that support is safe, responsive and closely matched to each person’s individual requirements.

The Supported Living Development Manager, Qualified Social Worker, is a full-time, hybrid role based in Belfast, with flexibility for some home working and travel throughout Northern Ireland.

This is a senior service development and professional leadership role. The successful candidate will lead the development, mobilisation and ongoing oversight of Direct Homecare’s supported living services.

The role includes:

• Developing Direct Homecare’s supported living model and operational framework.
• Establishing referral, assessment, transition and service mobilisation pathways.
• Completing and overseeing comprehensive social work assessments.
• Assessing individuals’ needs, strengths, risks, preferences and desired outcomes.
• Developing person-centred, rights-based and outcomes-focused support arrangements.
• Coordinating input from Health and Social Care Trusts, housing providers, families, advocates and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Overseeing referrals, service setup, transitions, reviews and ongoing case management.
• Providing professional leadership in safeguarding, capacity, consent, risk management and complex decision-making.
• Supporting the development and costing of sustainable packages of care and support.
• Monitoring outcomes, service quality and regulatory compliance.
• Ensuring services meet the requirements of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, commissioning bodies and relevant Northern Ireland legislation and standards.
• Building strong relationships with commissioners, social work teams, health professionals, families and housing partners.
• Supervising and mentoring staff while promoting professional development and reflective practice.
• Contributing to policies, procedures, governance systems and service improvement.
• Ensuring that all supported living services reflect Direct Homecare’s values of honesty, integrity, dignity and high-quality care.

Qualifications

• A recognised degree-level qualification in Social Work.
• Current registration as a Qualified Social Worker with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, or eligibility to register before commencing employment.
• Substantial post-qualification experience in adult social care.
• Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, complex health needs or behaviours that may challenge services.
• Experience in supported living, domiciliary care or community-based social care.
• Strong knowledge of Northern Ireland adult safeguarding arrangements, relevant legislation and professional social work practice.
• Knowledge of the requirements of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority for domiciliary care and supported living services.
• Experience completing assessments, developing support plans, managing risk and coordinating complex cases.
• Experience developing new services, mobilising support packages or establishing operational pathways.
• Experience working with Health and Social Care Trusts, commissioners, multidisciplinary teams and housing providers.
• Strong professional decision-making skills, underpinned by person-centred, strengths-based and rights-based practice.
• Excellent communication, report-writing and record-keeping skills.
• Leadership experience, including staff supervision, mentoring, training and reflective practice.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently within a developing service.
• Competence in using digital systems to manage referrals, assessments, records, caseloads and service reporting.
• Ability to work flexibly within a hybrid model and travel throughout Northern Ireland.
• A full driving licence and access to appropriate transport for work purposes, subject to reasonable adjustments.

Additional Information

• Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Employment type: Full-time, permanent
• Location: Belfast, with travel throughout Northern Ireland
• Working arrangement: Hybrid, subject to service requirements
• Regulator: Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
• Professional registration: Northern Ireland Social Care Council