Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship

MY HOME CHOICE (ESSEX) LTD

COLCHESTER (CO7 7FD)

Closes in 20 days (Friday 20 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 30 January 2026

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Summary

This role is a key operational position that sits between frontline care delivery and management. This role reports directly to the Registered Manager and acts as the crucial link between care assistants and senior management, ensuring the efficient running of a designated geographical area with the Bluebird Care franchise operations.

• Wage:

  £24,000 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Following year depending on age:

  18-20 years old - £25,000 per annum

  21+ years old- £26,500 per annum

• Training course: Lead adult care worker (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm Participation on out-of-hours service pro-rata This includes 6-hours off-the-job training time (e.g. online classes, shadowing, coursework).

  37 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Friday 27 February 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 9 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

We’re a trusted Bluebird Care franchise serving communities across Colchester & Tendring and Braintree & Uttlesford. We’re passionate about enabling people to live independently and comfortably in their own homes, delivering high-quality domiciliary care that truly makes a difference.

Role Breakdown:

• Reports to: Registered Manager
• Area of responsibility: A designated geographical area within the Bluebird Care service coverage
• Team management: Direct supervision of Care Assistants
• Collaboration: Works closely with the Bluebird Care Coordinator and other supervisors

Key Responsibilities Include:

Customer Care Management:

• Conduct pre-service assessments with the customers and their representatives
• Create and maintain individually tailored care and support plans
• Carry out risk assessments and implement risk control measures
• Provide clear information to customers about services and complaint procedures
• Maintain confidentiality and security of customer information

Staff Management & Support:

• Provide guidance and information to care assistants on delivering care safely
• Work with coordinators to match care assistants appropriately to customers
• Support, supervise and assist with training of care assistants
• Participate in out-of-hours emergency on-call rota
• Cover calls directly or indirectly during care assistant absences
• Manage staff changeovers and briefings for live-in care assignments

Quality Improvement & Compliance:

• Investigate quality-related matters and implement improvements
• Monitor care assistant performance through quality reviews at customers’ homes
• Ensure compliance with Bluebird Care policies and procedures
• Record, report and act upon accidents ad incidents
• Ensure care delivery meets regulatory requirements and Mental Capacity Act 2005 legislation
• Work collaboratively with customers, families, health/social care professionals
• Lead staff and customer meetings
• Lead and participate in training activities, appraisals and development meetings
• Work flexibly to meet business needs

Day-to-day Contact Within the Organisation:

The Supervisor has regular contact with:

• Registered Manager (direct reporting line)
• Bluebird Cre Coordinator (for scheduling and staff matching)
• Care Assistants (direct supervision and support)
• Customers and their families/representatives (service delivery oversight)
• External health and social care professionals (multidisciplinary working)

This is a hands-on operational role requiring flexibility, leadership capability, and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of domiciliary care while supporting and developing the care team.

Where you'll work

4 LANSWOOD PARK
BROOMFIELD ROAD
ELMSTEAD
COLCHESTER
CO7 7FD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

Training course

Lead adult care worker (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Support individuals they are working with according to their personal care/support plan
• Take the initiative when working outside normal duties and responsibilities
• Recognise and access help when not confident or skilled in any aspect of the role that they are undertaking
• Implement/facilitate the specialist assessment of social, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals with cognitive, sensory and physical impairments
• Contribute to the development and ongoing review of care/support plans for the individuals they support
• Provide individuals with information to enable them to exercise choice on how they are supported
• Encourage individuals to actively participate in the way their care and support is delivered
• Ensure that individuals know what they are agreeing to regarding the way in which they are supported
• Lead and support colleagues to understand how to establish informed consent when providing care and support
• Guide, mentor and contribute to the development of colleagues in the execution of their duties and responsibilities
• Demonstrate dignity in their working role with individuals they support, their families, carers and other professionals
• Support others to understand the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in social care
• Exhibit empathy for individuals they support, i.e. understanding and compassion
• Exhibit courage in supporting individuals in ways that may challenge their own cultural and belief systems
• Demonstrate and promote to other workers excellent communication skills including confirmation of understanding to individuals, their families, carers and professionals
• Use and facilitate methods of communication preferred by the individual they support according to the individual’s language, cultural and sensory needs, wishes and preferences
• Take the initiative and reduce environmental barriers to communication
• Demonstrate and ensure that records and reports are written clearly and concisely
• Lead and support others to keep information safe, preserve confidentiality in accordance with agreed ways of working
• Support others, to recognise and respond to potential signs of abuse according to agreed ways of working
• Work in partnership with external agencies to respond to concerns of abuse
• Lead and support others to address conflicts or dilemmas that may arise between an individual’s rights and duty of care
• Recognise, report, respond to and record unsafe practices and encourage others to do so
• Lead and mentor others where appropriate to promote the wellbeing of the individuals they support
• Demonstrate the management of the reduction of infection, including use of best practice in hand hygiene
• Promote healthy eating and wellbeing by supporting individuals to have access to fluids, food and nutrition
• Carry out fire safety procedures and manage others to do so
• Develop risk assessments and use in a person centred way to support individuals safely including moving and assisting people and objects
• Manage, monitor, report and respond to changes in the health and wellbeing of the individuals they support
• Take the initiative to identify and form professional relationships with other people and organisations
• Demonstrate, manage and support self and others to work within safe, clear professional boundaries
• Take the initiative to evaluate and improve own skills and knowledge through reflective practice, supervision, feedback and learning opportunities
• Demonstrate continuous professional development
• Carry out research relevant to individuals’ support needs and share with others
• Demonstrate where necessary mentoring and supervision to others in the workplace
• Demonstrate good team/partnership working skills
• Demonstrate their contribution to robust recruitment and induction processes

Training schedule

Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English & Maths (grade 4/C or above)
• Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equi (grade Pass)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

ICT (grade 4/C or proven computer skills)

A Level in:

Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Respectful
• Innovative
• Strong problem-solver
• Adaptable to change
• Motivation
• Fun and Passionate
• Positive, Enthusiastic
• Confidentiality
• Leadership
• Honest

Other requirements

This position is open to applicants aged 18 years and above (for insurance purposes).

The applicant must hold a full UK driving licence and maintain appropriate car insurance that include business use cover.

DBS Check:

• Enhanced DBS clearance (formerly CRB) required
• Must be satisfactory for working with vulnerable adults

Driving Requirements:

• Full UK driving licence
• No more than 6 penalty points
• Class 1 business insurance
• Valid MOT on vehicle

About this employer

We were established in 2010 and have been proudly serving our local communities across Colchester & Tendring and Braintree & Uttlesford for over 14 years. Since our inception, we've built a strong reputation for delivering compassionate, high-quality domiciliary care that enables people to live independently and comfortably in their own homes.

https://www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/colchester-tendring?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

At Bluebird Care we are committed to developing our people and creating genuine career opportunities. As a Gold Standards Framework accredited service and Regional Winners and National Finalists in the Great British Care Awards 2024/2025 for Employer of the Year, we invest significantly in our team’s professional growth.

As a Supervisor, you’ll receive comprehensive support for your career growth:

Relevant Social Care Qualification - Support to achieve or enhance your qualifications, with access to training and development resources.

Management Institute qualifications at Level 5 and beyond (typically worth £1,000 - £2,500).

Specialist Clinical Training - Development in complex clinical care, end-of-life-care, and other specialist areas.

Ongoing Training Programme - Regular training covering clinical skills, regulatory compliance, and leadership development.

Structured 1-1 Support - Regular appraisals and development meetings focused on your career goals.

Financial Recognition for Excellence.

All Supervisors are enrolled in our Performance Incentive Plan, which provides quarterly bonus payments based on your performance across two key areas:

• Personal Compliance - Your adherence to our high standards in areas such as medication management, care planning, safeguarding, health and safety and CQC readiness
• Operational Excellence - Your effectiveness in service delivery, team leadership, problem-solving, and support business growth

Your Complete Package:

• Competitive base salary with guaranteed hours
• Quarterly performance bonuses
• Funded qualifications and training
• Clear career pathways
• Award winning employer - recognised nationally for excellence
• Supportive environment - with experienced managers committed to your development

Our Investment in You:

We don’t just talk about career development, we actively support it through funded qualifications, mentorship from experience Registered Manager, and direct involvement in our award-winning services.

Our Commitment:

At Bluebird Care, your success is our success. We are committed to building careers and creating opportunities for professional growth.  The combination of structured development, financial recognition, and clear progression pathways makes this Supervisor role an excellent foundation for a rewarding career in care management.

Career Development: Candidates holding a Level 3 qualification will be supported to enrol on a Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care to further develop their leadership and management capabilities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010141.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Friday 20 February 2026 at 11:59pm)