Practice Lead

We are recruiting for a Practice Lead, a motivated and highly skilled practitioner with expertise in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Autism who is both a strong practitioner and leader to join our Care and Support management team in Hindhead, Surrey.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced practitioner looking to remain in an operational focused role whilst utilising their skills in operational leadership, quality and strategy.

As an expert in your field, you will work as our Practice Lead to deliver leadership to our staff that empowers others, passing on and developing competence particularly in positive behavioural support, active support, capable environments and a passion for quality improvement. You will work with colleagues across the organisation to establish high quality, safe and sustainable practices in Care and Support for adults with Learning Disabilities and/ or Autism as their primary diagnosis.

Reporting into the Director of Care and Support, the Practice Lead forms part of the Care and Support Management Team and is responsible for the leadership and delivery of a Peripatetic team of practice specialists from across the organisation. You will collaborate with colleagues to design and implement packages of care and ensure quality services are implemented via observation supervisions.

You will need a grounding in, or understanding of, operational services so that you can assist us in implementing integrated, place-based teams and new care models in the community. Our ideal candidate will have a track record of supporting high performing care teams with a passion for person-centred practice.

You will be motivated to achieve outstanding outcomes for the People We Support and inspire others to deliver excellent practice. You will be comfortable leading practice where you are not the manager and influencing teams, being particularly adept at drawing out people’s strengths and sharing best practice. As a new role, the Practice Lead will complement our Care and Support Directorate by staying abreast of best practice and leading on Autism and PBS strategies. You will be called upon by Registered Managers and Operations Managers to successfully transition new clients into our services and set staff teams up with the skills and plans they need to deliver outstanding care and support. You will also support staff with existing residents where their needs change or a different approach is required to best support the individual.

You will develop strong relationships with the Care and Support Management Team and our internal Quality and Training teams to ensure our staff are equipped to deliver these high levels of care and support to our clients. You will be central to the organisation’s ambition to be best in field in delivering Learning Disability and Autism services in West Surrey.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

 Develop and deliver the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Autism Strategies, providing operational and practice leadership to staff teams.

• Lead on all aspects of practice governance as directed by the Director of Care and Support/ Chief Executive Officer.
• Act as a visible role model, mentor and leader, creating a culture that promotes learning, development, inquiry and professionalism.
• Celebrate achievements and share learning to the benefit of the Care and Support Directorate.
• Promote an effective working relationship across the service teams.
• Responsible for all internal Lead Practitioner meetings.
• Lead on policy and procedure development for practice governance.
• Conduct assessments and develop individualised care plans.
• Responsible for the design and delivery of a Peripatetic team of specialist practitioners from across the organisation that can be mobilised for assessments, transitions and interventions. Ensure practice supervision for team members and develop their careers and encourage and support CPD applications.
• Assist the Director of Care and Support to ensure delivery of the highest level of practice together with ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and current legislation, meeting quality standards and delivering against quality performance indicators. Including, CQC Regulations, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties is applied in accordance with our policies and national requirements.
• Acting as a professional subject matter expert and represent the values and ethos of Whitmore Vale at all times.
• Deliver training and observation supervisions across the organisation in specialist practice areas as required.
• Participate in meetings, training and events that may be held off-site at or near our Head Office in Hindhead.
• Undertake any other tasks required by the Senior Leadership Team in line with the competency level of this role to meet the needs of the organisation.

We encourage applicants to arrange a discussion with the Director of Care & Support about the opportunity. This can be arranged by contacting PA@whitmorevale.co.uk

To apply for the role please email your CV of no more than three pages, together with a supporting statement of no more than two pages, that describes your motivation in applying for the role to hr@whitmorevale.co.uk marked ‘Practice Lead’.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline for applications: 18th May 2025

Interview panel at Whitmore Vale: 5th June 2025

Please note if you have any dates you cannot make with the recruitment timetable please advise in your supporting statement.

Hours per week - 15.4