Job Description for Team Leader

Job Purpose

To provide effective day-to-day leadership, guidance and support to Support Workers and Advanced Support Workers, ensuring the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality and person-centred support.

The Team Leader is responsible for monitoring staff practice, supporting staff development, promoting compliance with organisational policies and procedures, and maintaining effective communication between frontline staff and management.

The role also involves monitoring the quality of support provided to individuals, identifying changes in their needs and contributing to opportunities that promote independence, wellbeing and personal achievement.

Accountable To

The Registered Manager – Chloe Gallagher

Main Activities

As a Team Leader, you will undertake the duties and responsibilities of a Support Worker/Advanced Support Worker while providing additional guidance, mentoring and oversight of day-to-day support practices.

You will work closely with individuals, support staff and management to ensure that Cumbria Quality Care’s high standards are consistently maintained.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Staff Leadership, Mentoring and Development

• Providing day-to-day guidance, encouragement and practical support to new and existing staff.
• Acting as a positive role model, demonstrating professional conduct, high standards and Cumbria Quality Care’s values.
• Supporting new staff through induction, shadowing and workplace learning.
• Identifying individual and team training needs and reporting these to management.
• Recognising and praising good practice, encouraging staff confidence and professional development.
• Identifying poor practice, performance concerns or additional support needs and promptly reporting these to management.
• Promoting a positive, respectful and supportive team culture.

Monitoring Staff Practice and Professional Standards

• Monitoring the quality and consistency of support delivered by staff.
• Ensuring staff follow individual support plans, risk assessments and agreed support strategies.
• Promoting adherence to Cumbria Quality Care’s policies, procedures, Code of Conduct and uniform requirements.
• Monitoring staff professionalism, conduct, attitudes and working practices, raising concerns appropriately.
• Supporting staff to understand their safeguarding, confidentiality and health and safety responsibilities.
• Identifying areas for improvement and communicating recommendations to management.
• Promoting compliance with relevant legislation and Care Quality Commission (CQC) fundamental standards.

Quality Assurance and Record Keeping

• Monitoring that daily records, medication documentation, incident reports and other required records are completed accurately and appropriately.
• Identifying missing, incomplete or inaccurate documentation and ensuring concerns are reported and addressed through agreed procedures.
• Supporting staff to maintain accurate, factual and timely records.
• Checking that individual support plans and risk assessments are followed, identifying any information that may require reviewing or updating.
• Contributing to quality assurance monitoring, spot checks and service improvement activities as required.
• Reporting concerns relating to documentation, compliance or the quality of support to management.

Monitoring Individual Support and Wellbeing

• Monitoring that individuals receive safe, effective and person-centred support in accordance with their needs, wishes and preferences.
• Recognising changes in individual health, wellbeing, behaviour or support requirements and ensuring concerns are promptly reported.
• Supporting staff to promote dignity, independence, informed choice and individual rights.
• Identifying opportunities for individuals to achieve personal goals, develop new skills and participate in meaningful activities.
• Encouraging positive relationships, community involvement and opportunities that improve quality of life.
• Communicating relevant feedback, wishes and concerns from individuals and their representatives to management.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Acting as a key communication link between Support Workers/Advanced Support Worker, office staff and the management team.
• Sharing relevant information, updates and concerns promptly and professionally.
• Supporting effective communication within the staff team to promote consistency and continuity of support.
• Liaising appropriately with families, representatives and multidisciplinary professionals within the responsibilities of the role.
• Contributing to team meetings, discussions and service improvement initiatives.
• Promoting open communication and ensuring staff feel supported and confident to raise concerns.

Direct Support Responsibilities

• Undertaking Support Worker/Advanced Support Worker duties as required, including personal care, medication support, daily living activities and emotional and social support.
• Providing practical guidance and assistance to colleagues when supporting individuals with additional or complex needs.
• Demonstrating high standards of person-centred practice and promoting independence, dignity and choice.
• Responding appropriately to incidents, safeguarding concerns and changes in individual needs.

Other Duties

• Follow and promote Cumbria Quality Care’s policies, procedures, professional standards and Code of Conduct.
• Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate integrity, fairness, confidentiality and accountability.
• Complete mandatory training and any additional leadership or specialist training required for the role.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, performance discussions and professional development activities.
• Support the management team with implementing improvements and maintaining service standards.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the staff team and the support provided.
• Maintain accurate records of monitoring activities and report concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Work flexibly to meet service requirements, including undertaking direct support duties when required.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the Team Leader role and level of responsibility.

Knowledge & Expertise

• Previous experience working within health and social care, with a good understanding of providing person-centred support.
• Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities or additional support needs.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessments, confidentiality and professional responsibilities.
• Good knowledge of individual support plans, care documentation and safe working practices.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive professional relationships.
• The ability to mentor, encourage and guide colleagues while promoting consistent standards.
• Confidence in recognising poor practice, identifying concerns and reporting these appropriately.
• Good organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to monitor staff practice and documentation.
• The ability to use initiative, exercise appropriate professional judgement and prioritise responsibilities.
• A commitment to promoting positive staff relationships, equality, diversity and person-centred values.

Desirable Experience and Qualifications

• Ideally, a minimum of three years’ experience working within health and social care.
• Ideally, two years’ experience supporting individuals within their own homes or community settings.
• Ideally, one year’s experience working with Cumbria Quality Care.
• A recognised Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, Health and Social Care, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Previous experience mentoring, coaching, inducting or providing guidance to colleagues.
• Experience undertaking quality monitoring, spot checks or reviewing care documentation.
• Additional qualifications or training in leadership, supervision or specialist areas of health and social care.

The successful candidate must demonstrate professionalism, reliability, positive leadership qualities and a genuine commitment to supporting both staff and individuals to achieve positive outcomes.

Essential Requirements

Essential Requirements

• Relevant Experience – Previous experience working within health and social care, with the knowledge and confidence required to guide and support other staff.
• Enhanced DBS Check – A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including relevant barred list checks where legally required.
• Satisfactory References – A minimum of two suitable references, preferably including the applicant’s most recent employer.
• Right to Work – Evidence of the legal right to work in the UK and successful completion of required pre-employment checks.
• Training and Development – A willingness to undertake mandatory training, leadership development and any additional qualifications required for the role.
• Leadership and Communication – The ability to provide effective guidance, promote positive teamwork and communicate professionally with staff, management and other professionals.
• Monitoring and Accountability – The ability to identify and report concerns, monitor standards and maintain accurate records.
• Professional Conduct – A commitment to maintaining high professional standards, confidentiality, safeguarding and organisational policies and procedures.
• Flexibility and Reliability – A willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of individuals and the service, including shifts, evenings, weekends and bank holidays where required.
• Professional Values – Demonstrating compassion, fairness, integrity, respect and a commitment to delivering high-quality person-centred support.

Our Commitment to Staff

At Cumbria Quality Care, we recognise the important contribution our Team Leaders make in supporting staff, maintaining high standards and ensuring positive outcomes for the people who use our services.

We provide ongoing training, professional guidance and opportunities to develop leadership and management skills, alongside access to recognised health and social care qualifications.

We actively encourage career progression, supporting staff to build their confidence, develop their abilities and work towards further leadership and management opportunities within the organisation.

Our aim is to develop confident, approachable and professional Team Leaders who inspire their colleagues, promote high standards and contribute to a positive, supportive working environment where both staff and individuals can thrive.