Senior Female Team Leader- Supported Living Service

Female Team Leader – Supported Living Locations: Surbiton or Caterham, Surrey Work location: On-site Are you an experienced Senior Support Worker ready to step into leadership, or an established Team Leader looking for stronger clinical support and genuine career progression? Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is recruiting a Female Team Leader for one of our supported living services: Guildford Avenue in Surbiton or Oakview House in Caterham. This is a hands-on leadership position. You will work alongside your team, lead shifts and model excellent support while ensuring the service remains safe, consistent and well organised. The adults we support have autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs and behaviours that may challenge. They need a team that understands behaviour as communication, responds calmly to distress and provides consistent, person-centred support—even on difficult days. About Unicare Unicare is a CQC-registered, nurse-led provider of supported living and complex care services. We support adults across Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire and South London, alongside delivering community outreach and SEND services. Our Team Leaders work closely with experienced managers and clinical professionals. You will have access to clinically informed Positive Behaviour Support advice, reflective practice and structured support following significant incidents. Your responsibilities Leading and developing the team

Lead shifts and work alongside Support Workers, setting a consistently high standard.Supervise, coach and develop staff through one-to-ones, observations, spot checks and constructive feedback.Support the induction of new employees and ensure they are competent and confident before working independently.Help plan and manage the rota, ensuring shifts are covered by staff who understand the people they support.Lead structured staff debriefs following difficult or significant incidents.Promote an open culture in which concerns are raised, discussed and addressed appropriately. Delivering person-centred support

Ensure support plans, risk assessments and Positive Behaviour Support plans are followed consistently.Work with managers and the clinical team to review plans as people’s needs change.Promote choice, independence, meaningful activity and access to the community.Support people to manage their health, medication and appointments as independently as possible.Build positive working relationships with families, social workers, care managers, health professionals and commissioners.Promote the reduction of restrictive practices and ensure any restrictions are justified, recorded and regularly reviewed. Maintaining safety and quality

Act as a safeguarding lead on shift by recognising and reporting concerns promptly and following the correct procedures.Oversee medication administration, MAR records, audits and staff competency.Maintain accurate and timely daily notes, incident reports, risk assessments and other service records.Review incidents to identify patterns, learning and actions—not simply complete the paperwork.Help maintain a service that is ready for CQC inspection and local-authority monitoring.Escalate changes, concerns and risks to the appropriate manager or clinical professional. What we are looking for Essential:

Substantial experience supporting adults with autism, learning disabilities and mental health needs.Experience supporting people who may display behaviours that challenge.A practical understanding of Positive Behaviour Support and behaviour as communication.A trauma-informed approach to both the people you support and the colleagues you lead.Previous experience as a Team Leader, Senior Support Worker or in a similar supervisory care role.Experience leading shifts and providing guidance to other members of staff.Confidence completing and reviewing support plans, risk assessments, daily notes, MAR charts and incident reports.Sound practical knowledge of adult safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS.A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.Flexibility to work across a rota that may include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.Willingness to participate in the on-call rota. Desirable:

Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, or a willingness to work towards it.PMVA, MAPA, Team Teach or equivalent training.Medication administration training and competency.Experience working with community mental health teams, the Mental Health Act or Community Treatment Orders.Experience supporting a CQC inspection or local-authority contract monitoring. Training, support and progression We offer:

Full paid induction and mandatory training, subject to company terms.In-house PMVA training delivered by certified trainers and aligned with the Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards.Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism at Tier 2, delivered in-house.Medication training with a practical competency assessment.Funded progression towards Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications for suitable candidates.A genuine development route into Deputy Manager and Registered Manager positions.Regular supervision and reflective practice.Clinical support from our nurse-led team, including access to Positive Behaviour Support advice.Structured debriefing following significant incidents.Company pension.Paid annual leave.Sick pay, subject to company policy. Why join us? This is an opportunity to lead an established service with a stable core group of people requiring support. We need a dependable leader who understands this client group, builds confidence within the staff team and maintains consistent standards. In return, you will receive clinical backing, ongoing development and the opportunity to progress as Unicare continues to grow. If you've these qualities apply today