Accommodation and Community Services Lead – Care Services (Sussex)

Role/Job Title: Accommodation and Community Services Lead – Care Services (Sussex)

Location: 19 High St, Battle TN33 0AE [hybrid working with regular travel across our Sussex services. A visible leadership presence within services is an important part of this role]
Mileage expenses will be paid for travel to locations away from your main workplace, in accordance with the organisation's mileage policy.

Hours:  37 hours per week (Monday – Friday)

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Please note that we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive sufficient suitable applications. We encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.  

Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Aspens’ mission is to provide high-quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.

Lead high-quality services. Develop great managers. Make a lasting difference.
Aspens is entering an exciting new chapter. Following a recent organisational restructure, we've strengthened the way we deliver care, creating an even more effective, responsive and sustainable model of support for the people we support.

As part of this transformation, we've created new opportunities to join our leadership team - roles that didn't previously exist. We're looking for an experienced social care leader to join Aspens as our Accommodation & Community Services Lead - Sussex, providing operational leadership across a portfolio of residential, supported living and outreach services.

Reporting to the Head of Sussex, you'll provide leadership and support to our Service Managers, driving service quality, safeguarding, performance, compliance and continuous improvement across the area.

This is a senior operational role for someone who is ready to take the next step from a Registered Manager, Home Manager, Deputy Manager, Operations Manager or similar multi-service leadership position.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact - shaping the future of our services, inspiring high-performing teams, and ensuring every person we support receives exceptional care, regardless of where they live or who is supporting them.

If you're ready to shape the future of social care and be part of an ambitious organisation dedicated to improving lives, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help lead the next stage of the Aspens journey.

About the Role:
As Accommodation & Community Services Lead, you will oversee Service Managers across Sussex and play a critical role in shaping service quality, culture and performance. You will combine operational leadership with practice excellence, ensuring services are safe, compliant, outcomes-focused and aligned with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) principles.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading residential, supported living and outreach services across Sussex.
• Managing and developing Service Managers to achieve excellent outcomes.
• Providing senior oversight of safeguarding, risk management and service performance.
• Driving quality assurance, continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.
• Supporting service development, innovation and sustainable growth.
• Building positive relationships with commissioners, regulators and external partners.
• Championing co-production, inclusion and neuro-affirming practice.

About You

We're looking for a confident and compassionate leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational oversight.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience within residential and community-based social care services.
• Strong multi-site leadership and people management experience.
• Extensive safeguarding knowledge and leadership capability.
• Experience working with CQC-regulated services.
• A strong understanding of autism, mental health, complex needs and Positive Behaviour Support.
• Budget management and service performance experience.
• Excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A Level 5 qualification in Leadership & Management in Health & Social Care (or equivalent experience/qualification).

What We Offer:

·         Comprehensive paid training and excellent career progression opportunities, including recognised qualifications in health and social care

·         Paid DBS check

·         Flexible work arrangements, with the option to take on additional bank shifts

·         Nest Pension and Death in Service benefit

·         Access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders

·         Blue Light Card discounts

·         20% discount at Aspens High Street Stores for all staff

·         Discounted staff menu available at the Bluebell Café (Pembury)

·         Refer a Friend scheme - earn up to £250 for every successful referral

·         Employee recognition programmes, including ‘Employee of the Month’

Apply now and one of our team members will reach out to discuss the role further.

If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need

Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.