Deputy Care Operations Manager

Deputy Care Operations Manager – Full Time (40.3
hours/week)

Location: The Old Stables, Tonbridge Road, Mereworth,
Maidstone, ME18 5LR

Reports To: Area Care Operations Manager (ACOM)

Job Type: Full-time

Shift Pattern: 4 on / 4 off (alternating between 4 days and 4 nights –
12-hour shifts)

Pay: Blended rate of £14.29 p/h (Annual Remuneration of £29,993.83 based on expected hours)

If you're an experienced leader in healthcare or secure
services, this is your opportunity to step into a meaningful management role
with purpose.

At Secure Care UK, we don't just transport
patients—we care for them through some of the most challenging moments in their
lives. As a Deputy Care Operations Manager (DCOM), you will support,
mentor, and lead teams to deliver safe, respectful, and person-centred mental
health transport services. You'll act as a role model for quality care, manage
operational performance, and ensure your team embodies the values that set us
apart.

We're looking for passionate individuals with strong
leadership skills, calm under pressure, and committed to making a positive
difference.

This is a highly unpredictable
and emotionally demanding role, often supporting individuals in distress or
crisis. Candidates must demonstrate compassion, patience, and emotional
resilience. You will need to manage sensitive and sometimes distressing information,
adapt quickly to changing situations, and maintain professionalism in
high-pressure environments. In return, you will be part of a supportive and
inclusive team making a meaningful difference every day.

Equal
Opportunities

Secure
Care UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an
inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We welcome applications
from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender
reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race,
religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, in line with the Equality Act
2010.

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What You'll Be Doing

You will support a wide range of transport needs involving
individuals detained under the Mental Health Act, including:

• Hospital transfers, court or prison escorts, and
  medical appointments
• House extractions under Section 135, working with police and mental
  health professionals to move individuals from their home to a place of safety
• Community assessments, supporting local authority mental health reviews
  in people's homes
• Bed watch services, supervising and supporting admitted patients during
  hospital stays
• Suite work, caring for patients held in psychiatric suites under Section
  136 or 135, often for up to 24–36 hours

You'll work in crews of two or more, rotating between driving,
escorting, and supervising patients, using secure,
specially-adapted vehicles (under 3.5 tonnes or larger Safe Area Vehicles for
complex cases).

This isn't just a driving job—it's about accompanying
patients with care, dignity, and compassion through their most difficult
transitions.

As a Deputy Care Operations Manager, you'll also be
responsible for:

• Leading and coaching
  teams to deliver safe, effective care
• Monitoring compliance
  with health & safety and company protocols
• Managing rotas, vehicle
  readiness, and resource allocation
• Supporting recruitment,
  onboarding, and retention of staff
• Acting as the first
  point of contact for operational escalations
• Ensuring accurate use of
  electronic systems and data reporting
• Promoting a positive
  team culture through regular communication and support
• Contributing to business
  development and building client relationships
• Working collaboratively
  with other departments for service delivery

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Requirements

• Full UK Manual Driving
  License (Required)
• Enhanced DBS within the
  last 3 years (Preferred)
• At least 12 months'
  driving experience (Preferred)
• Prior leadership or
  supervisory experience in healthcare, security, emergency services, or a
  related field
• Strong communication and
  coaching skills
• Calm under pressure and
  passionate about quality patient care
• Confident using IT
  systems for scheduling, reporting, and communication

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Who We Are

Secure Care UK was founded in 2013 in response to a
growing need for safe, compassionate mental health transport. We are proud to
be the first and only secure transport provider in the UK meeting Restraint
Reduction Network (RRN) standards. With operations spanning the UK and some
international services, we work with NHS trusts, local authorities, and private
care settings to deliver essential support every day.

Our values are at the heart of what we do:

Patient First | Respect | Openness | Unity | Determination

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What We Offer

Training & Development

• Full induction including
  de-escalation, physical intervention, handcuff training, and First Aid
• Specialist training, NVQ
  Diplomas, and mentoring programmes
• Leadership development
  and career progression opportunities

Benefits

• Company pension
• Refer-a-friend bonus
• Health Care Cash Plan
  (after 6 months)
• Eligibility for Blue
  Light Card
• Employee Assistance
  Programme (from day one)
• Full uniform and
  enhanced PPE
• Wagestream financial
  wellbeing platform
• Additional annual leave
  after 2 years of service
• Monthly Care Awards and
  driver recognition schemes
• Suggestion scheme with
  rewards for implemented ideas

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Pay Enhancements

• Overtime: £22.00 p/h
• Enhanced pay of £1.20
  p/h for Place of Safety and Bed Watch
• Additional shift
  enhancement of £1.75 p/h for call-ins or extra shifts

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Flexibility & Commitment

Due to the nature of our services, flexibility is essential.
While we operate on structured 4-on/4-off rotas, there may be occasions when
shift overruns or changes are necessary to meet patient needs. We appreciate
and support a responsive, team-first approach.

Ready to Make a Lasting Impact?

If you're passionate about supporting teams and patients,
ready to lead with integrity, and want to grow within a company that values its
people and purpose—apply today to begin your next chapter with Secure
Care UK.

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