Team Leader

Welcome to DK House

DK House is a six-bed residential service in Chelmsford, supporting six adults with a range of individual needs, including learning disabilities, autism, ADHD and mental health needs.

But DK House is much more than a place where people receive support. It is someone’s home and we want it to feel like one.

The people we support each have their own personalities, interests, strengths, goals and, importantly, their own fantastic sense of humour!

We are a busy, lively home where there is plenty of laughter, music, singing and dancing. If you can hold a tune, know your favourite dance moves or aren’t afraid to have a bit of a laugh with the people we support, you’ll probably fit right in!

The people we support

The people living at DK House have varying levels of independence and support needs. Some individuals are able to access the community independently, while others require staff support to attend activities, appointments and access the wider community.

The people we support are verbal, although some individuals have additional communication needs. Staff are expected to understand each person’s individual communication style and adapt their approach accordingly.

Five of the six people we support can experience periods of emotional dysregulation. For some individuals, this may result in verbal or physical behaviours of concern, which can include hitting, punching or slapping.

These behaviours are individual to the person and are not a defining part of who they are. Staff are expected to understand behaviour as a form of communication, recognise individual triggers and early signs of dysregulation, and use proactive support and appropriate de-escalation strategies to promote safety and wellbeing.

We are looking for staff who can remain calm, consistent and compassionate during these situations while maintaining dignity and respect at all times.

Supporting independence, education, work and community access

Supporting people to live full and meaningful lives is at the heart of DK House.

The people we support have a wide range of interests, goals and aspirations. Some individuals attend college, while others have employment or work opportunities. We support people to maintain these important parts of their lives and to develop the skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals.

Some individuals are able to access the community independently, while others require staff support to attend activities, appointments, college, work and other community opportunities.

Community access is a big part of life at DK House. We support people to take part in activities they enjoy, try new experiences, develop life skills and build greater independence.

Whether someone is heading off to college, going to work, meeting friends, enjoying an activity, attending an appointment or simply deciding what they want to do with their day, our role is to provide the right level of support while encouraging independence and choice.

We want the people we support to experience as much of ordinary life as possible including education, employment, friendships, hobbies, days out, new experiences and plenty of fun along the way.

We don’t want to do things for people that they can do for themselves. We want to support people to build on what they can already do and achieve what they didn’t think was possible.

And yes… we like to have FUN!

We believe that supporting people isn’t just about care and routines it’s about living.

Music is a big part of life at DK House, and singing and dancing are regular features of the house. Our people have a brilliant sense of humour and love staff who are willing to join in, have a laugh and not take themselves too seriously.

You might find yourself singing along to someone’s favourite song, having an impromptu kitchen dance-off, joining in with an activity or laughing at one of the many jokes that happen throughout the day.

You don’t have to be the next Michael Jackson or Strictly champion enthusiasm counts!

What matters is being willing to get involved and make memories with the people we support.

The home

DK House is a six-bedroom residential home, with each person having their own bedroom and en-suite bathroom.

The service also has communal living spaces and a small garden, providing people with opportunities to spend time together while also having their own private space.

DK House is a busy and active home, and staff play an important role in creating an environment that is safe, welcoming, respectful and enjoyable for everyone who lives here.

The service also has access to work vehicle that we can use to go further a field and more adventures .

Our staffing team

DK House has a strong staffing structure designed around the individual needs of the people we support.

There are generally around six staff members working during daytime hours, allowing us to provide one-to-one support where required and enabling people to access the community and participate in activities safely.

There are also two waking-night staff members supporting the service overnight.

We also have an on site management team Team leader , Deputy manager and the Registered Manager .

Our wider staff team is approximately 15 people, allowing us to provide continuity of support while maintaining a consistent approach across the service.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people who genuinely want to make a difference and who aren’t afraid to have some fun along the way!

You don’t need to have all the answers, but you do need the right attitude, values and willingness to learn.

We are looking for staff who are:

• Caring, compassionate and patient
• Reliable, responsible and professional
• Respectful of people’s individuality, choices and dignity
• Confident supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and additional needs
• Able to remain calm and professional during periods of dysregulation
• Willing to learn and use positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies
• Confident supporting people within their home and out in the community
• Able to promote independence rather than creating unnecessary dependence
• Good communicators and team players
• Able to maintain clear, accurate and timely documentation
• Flexible and willing to work as part of a busy residential service
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of the people we support
• Happy to join in with the fun, music, singing and dancing!

Previous experience within health and social care, learning disabilities or autism is desirable. However, we also recognise that the right values, attitude and willingness to learn are incredibly important.

What you can expect from DK House

Working at DK House can be incredibly rewarding. No two days are necessarily the same, and you will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with the people you support and help them achieve their individual goals.

You will be part of a team where consistency, communication and teamwork are essential — but where having a laugh and enjoying your job matters too.

Whether you are supporting someone to develop a new skill, helping them access an activity they enjoy, supporting them through a difficult moment, helping someone get ready for college or work, singing along to their favourite song, joining a spontaneous dance session or simply sharing a laugh over a cup of tea, every interaction can make a difference.

We want our staff to support people to live their lives — not simply receive care.

If you are compassionate, resilient, dependable, willing to learn and genuinely want to make a positive difference to people’s lives, we’d love to hear from you.

If you’re looking for a job where you can make a difference, have a laugh, sing badly with confidence and occasionally find yourself dancing in the kitchen… DK House might just be the place for you!

Come and be part of the DK House family.

Pay: £13.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Free parking

Application question(s):

• Do you have the right to work full time hours, with no restrictions in the UK?
• Do you live within a commutable distance of the service?
• Do you hold a minimum QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent?
• Do you have at least three years' UK experience supporting adults with complex needs?
• Do you have UK experience leading, supervising, coaching or mentoring staff, supporting adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs?
• Do you have experience and are confident working with complex behaviours and higher levels of risk?

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person