Deputy Service Manager - Stepping-Stones-Services
Reports to: Service Manager
Direct Reports: Support Workers
Hours: 40 Hours - Full Time (including on-call as required)
Rate of Pay: £14.50 per hour (Potentially converted to a salaried rate of £30,160)
Job Purpose
The Deputy Service Manager is the operational lead within the service, working directly under and alongside the Service Manager to ensure full regulatory compliance, high-quality person-centred support, and effective team performance.
The role is accountable for the day-to-day management, governance, and quality assurance of the service. The Deputy Service Manager acts as the Service Manager in their absence and is responsible for ensuring that:
- CQC compliance standards are met and maintained
- Documentation and care records are audit-ready at all times
- Staff are supervised, competent and performance managed
- Incidents, safeguarding and risk are robustly reported
- Quality of life outcomes for supported individuals are actively promoted and evidenced
This is a leadership and management role, not a senior support worker position.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Operational Management
- Lead and manage the day-to-day running of the service
- Act as the delegated lead in the absence of the Service Manager
- Provide clear leadership and direction to support staff
- Manage rotas effectively to ensure safe staffing levels
- Approve annual leave and manage absence proactively
- Ensure effective shift planning aligned to assessed support hours
- Maintain a visible and consistent presence within the service
- Lead team meetings and communicate service priorities clearly
Compliance & Regulatory Governance
- Work in line with CQC regulations and current legislation
- Ensure all daily records meet legal and regulatory standards
- Complete and oversee:
- Weekly medication audits
- Weekly compliance checks
- Monthly service audits
- Ensure care plans and risk assessments are accurate and up to date
- Maintain audit trackers and ensure actions are completed
- Ensure accurate and timely incident, complaint and safeguarding reporting
- Support RADAR and incident management systems
- Conduct low-level investigations
- Prepare compliance data for Service Manager review
- Support CQC inspections and provide evidence when required
Quality of Life & Person-Centred Practice
- Promote and audit person-centred care
- Support individuals to exercise choice and independence
- Attend MDT and review meetings
- Monitor and evidence quality of life improvements
- Conduct spot checks to ensure dignity and respect
- Ensure MCA and DoLS compliance is embedded
Staff Management & Performance Accountability
- Conduct supervisions (minimum every 3 months)
- Complete annual appraisals
- Carry out competency assessments and observations
- Identify training needs and ensure compliance
- Lead disciplinary and performance processesAddress team issues promptly
- Promote a culture of accountability and high standards
- Support recruitment and induction
Risk, Safeguarding & Incident Management
- Complete and review risk assessments
- Ensure behavioural support strategies are followed
- Report and escalation safeguarding concerns
- Investigate incidents and implement action plans
- Analyse trends and implement preventative measures
- Ensure health and safety compliance
Administration & Reporting
- Produce monthly service performance reports
- Maintain accurate staffing and rota records
- Report KPIs weekly to the Service Manager
- Ensure all documentation is audit-ready
Accountability Framework
- CQC readiness and audit scores
- Supervision compliance rate (100%)
- Training compliance rate (minimum 95%)
- Incident response quality and timeliness
- Reduction in medication errors
- Care plan and risk assessment compliance (100%)
- Staff turnover and sickness levels
- Service user quality of life outcomes
Essential Requirements
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or willingness to work towards)
- 2-3 years supervisory experience in supported living
- Strong knowledge of:
- CQC Regulations
- Health & Social Care Act
- MCA & DoLS
- Safeguarding frameworks
- Experience in audits and compliance management
- Experience conducting supervisions and performance management
- IT literate
- Full UK driving licence
Key Competencies
- Strong leadership and accountability
- Highly organised and process-driven
- Compliance-focused mindset
- Confident managing difficult conversations
- Proactive and solution-oriented
- Calm under pressure
- High professional standards
Employee Benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme via Wellbeing Matters
- Reward Gateway retail discounts platform
- £500 Refer-a-Friend Scheme
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
- Supportive management and career progression pathways
#J-18808-Ljbffr