Job Description:

About the role

Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is recruiting a CQC Registered Manager to lead our Sussex Community Service — a domiciliary and outreach service supporting adults with mental health needs, autism, and learning disabilities to live well in their own homes across Sussex.

This is a CQC Registered Manager position. The successful candidate will be named on the CQC registration and will hold full operational, regulatory, and clinical governance accountability for the service, reporting to the Responsible Individual.

This is not a residential or supported living manager role. You will be managing community-based packages — variable hours, dispersed service users, person-centred outcomes — which requires a different operational mindset to a building-based service.

What you'll be doing

• Holding CQC registration for the Sussex Community Service and ensuring full compliance with the Fundamental Standards (Regulations 9–20A)
• Leading a dispersed community workforce of support workers, mental health support workers, and team leads operating across Sussex
• Managing referrals, assessments, and package set-up with Sussex commissioners, ICBs, and continuing healthcare teams
• Owning safeguarding, incident management, medication oversight, and quality assurance for all community packages
• Developing and applying PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) approaches in partnership with our in-house CPN/PBS Specialist
• Working alongside families, advocates, social workers, CMHTs, and community LD teams
• Driving service growth — new referrals, capacity planning, commissioner relationships, fee review submissions
• Preparing the service for and leading on CQC inspection

What we're looking for

Essential

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care (or equivalent) — held or actively working towards
• Minimum 2 years' management experience in adult social care
• Proven experience supporting adults with mental health needs, autism, and/or learning disabilities in community / supported living / domiciliary settings (not residential care home only)
• Working knowledge of CQC Fundamental Standards, MCA 2005, Care Act 2014, and the LD/autism statutory guidance
• Understanding of PBS principles and trauma-informed practice
• Confident managing safeguarding, incidents, and complaints under Reg 13 / LADO / Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board procedures
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (community service — non-negotiable)
• Eligible to work in the UK (Unicare cannot sponsor for this role)

Desirable

• Existing CQC Registered Manager status (or previous registration)
• Oliver McGowan Tier 2 trained
• Experience with Sussex commissioners (West Sussex CC, East Sussex CC, Brighton & Hove CC, NHS Sussex ICB)
• PBS Coach / PBS Practitioner qualification
• Experience setting up new community packages from referral to delivery

What we offer

• £40,000 – £45,000 per annum Dependant on experience
• 28 days' annual leave including bank holidays, rising with service
• Pension scheme
• Funded Level 5 completion if working towards
• Funded CPD: Oliver McGowan Tier 2, PBS, MCA/DoLS, safeguarding lead
• Mileage at HMRC rate
• Clear progression — Unicare is scaling its community offer across Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire and South London
• Direct working relationship with two founder-CEOs and an in-house clinical team (CPN/PBS Specialist)

How to apply

Apply with your CV. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 5 working days. Two-stage interview: competency interview with the CEO, followed by a scenario-based panel including our Responsible Individual.

Unicare is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.