Reports To Registered Manager

Contract Full Time, 40 hours per week

Salary £36,500 per annum during the 5-month probationary period

£37,000 per annum upon successful completion of probation

Our client is seeking an experienced, compassionate and highly organised Head of Care to provide strong clinical and operational leadership within their residential care home supporting older adults.This is a senior leadership position suited to someone already operating at Head of Care, Clinical Lead, Deputy Manager or equivalent level within a CQC-regulated residential care setting.

Working closely with the Registered Manager, you will lead the delivery of outstanding, person-centred care while maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance and regulatory performance. You will be a visible, hands-on leader who supports staff, promotes best practice and drives continuous improvement throughout the home.The successful candidate will be confident in making decisions, maintaining professional boundaries, identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting teams to consistently deliver exceptional care.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Provide day-to-day leadership and support to the care team.

Deputise for the Registered Manager when required.

Promote a positive, supportive and accountable culture throughout the service.

Act as a role model, demonstrating professionalism, compassion and integrity.

Support the recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal and development of staff.

Complete probation reviews and contribute to performance management, investigations and disciplinary processes where appropriate.

Support staff wellbeing while maintaining high professional standards.

Help develop future leaders, care champions and specialist practitioners within the service.

Promote vocational careers in care through community engagement where appropriate.

Quality and Compliance

Lead the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care.

Maintain high standards in line with CQC Fundamental Standards and current legislation.

Support governance systems, quality assurance processes and service improvement plans.

Ensure the service remains inspection-ready at all times.

Complete and oversee audits relating to care, medication, infection prevention, health and safety and documentation.

Monitor accidents and incidents, ensuring appropriate actions are completed and recorded.

Complete or support statutory notifications, safeguarding referrals and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications where required.

Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Clinical and Care Oversight

Maintain oversight of all care delivery across the home.

Support staff with complex clinical decisions and respond promptly to deteriorating residents.

Monitor digital care planning systems, ensuring accurate completion of:

Care plans

Daily records

Medication administration

Repositioning

Fluid monitoring

Wound management

Ensure residents' changing needs are reflected promptly within care plans.

Support and complete assessments for prospective residents.

Coordinate person-centred care planning and regular care reviews.

Liaise with families and healthcare professionals regarding residents' care.

Ensure medication is administered safely and accurately in accordance with legislation.

Oversee medication ordering, storage, stock control and auditing.

Staff Development and Training

Coordinate mandatory and specialist training.

Manage induction programmes for new employees, volunteers and students.

Complete medication competencies.

Deliver coaching, mentoring and micro-teaching during handovers.

Identify learning needs and support continuous professional development.

Promote best practice in infection prevention and control.

Operational Responsibilities

Support the planning of staffing rotas to ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix.

Assist with annual leave planning.

Monitor staffing hours, overtime and timesheets.

Complete regular walk-rounds across the home, identifying and resolving issues promptly.

Ensure fire safety documentation, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and risk assessments remain accurate.

Support housekeeping, health and safety and multidisciplinary meetings.

Participate in the on-call rota.

Provide emergency leadership cover when required.

Resident Care

Although this is a leadership role, the Head of Care is expected to remain visible and actively involved in supporting residents.Responsibilities include:Delivering hands-on care where required.

Supporting residents with dignity, respect and compassion.

Promoting independence, choice and wellbeing.

Supporting residents to maintain relationships with family and friends.

Escorting residents to appointments where appropriate.

Monitoring physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Supporting meaningful activities and social engagement.

Assisting with moving and handling safely.

Supporting mealtimes where required.

Maintaining confidentiality and protecting residents' rights at all times.

Working Relationships

The Head of Care will develop strong working relationships with:

Residents and their families

Registered Manager and leadership team

Care staff

Nurses and healthcare professionals

GPs

Community healthcare teams

Local authorities

CQC inspectors

Volunteers and students

External professionals and partner organisations

Working Pattern

This is a full-time salaried position of 40 hours per week.The role requires flexibility to provide visible leadership across the service and includes:

Weekday working

Regular weekend working (typically every other weekend)

Approximately two night shifts per month, agreed in advance

Participation in the on-call rota

Supernumerary leadership time alongside operational floor support

An eight-week rolling rota is used to ensure consistent leadership presence across all shifts while supporting work-life balance wherever possible.

What Our Client Offers

Competitive salary with probationary increase

Annual pay review

Annual bonus

Long service awards

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing initiatives

Life insurance

Paid training and professional development

Free meals whilst on shift

Paid breaks

Supportive leadership team

Opportunity to shape and continuously improve the quality of care

The opportunity to make a meaningful difference within a respected not-for-profit residential care service

Person Specification

Essential

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or above.

Willingness to work towards Level 4 or Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification if not already achieved.

Significant experience within a CQC-regulated residential care setting.

Previous experience in a senior supervisory or management role.

Excellent knowledge of:

CQC regulations

Fundamental Standards

Safeguarding

Care planning

Medication management

Infection Prevention and Control

Health and Safety legislation

Strong leadership, coaching and communication skills.

Confident managing performance and addressing poor practice professionally.

Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to build positive relationships with residents, families and professionals.

Competent IT skills, including digital care planning systems.

Flexible approach to working hours.

Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will be:Compassionate and genuinely committed to delivering exceptional care.

Calm, resilient and approachable.

Professional, honest and accountable.

Confident making decisions and maintaining clear boundaries.

Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.

Positive, supportive and solutions-focused.

Able to inspire and motivate others.

Committed to continuous improvement and learning.

Passionate about achieving the highest possible standards for residents and colleagues.

This role is central to ensuring residents receive consistently outstanding, person-centred care while supporting the Registered Manager in maintaining a safe, compliant and well-led service.The Head of Care will be a visible leader who promotes excellence, develops people, drives quality improvement and helps create a caring environment where residents can live with dignity, independence and respect.