At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new housing team supporting care leavers in their journey to independence.
- Company: Join Achieving for Children, a not-for-profit social enterprise with a community focus.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days annual leave, flexible working, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative team in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing management and a passion for supporting vulnerable youth.
The predicted salary is between 39902 - 44028 £ per year.
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.
We are recruiting for a brand new housing team to support our care leavers moving into our in-house supported accommodation provision. The central Maidenhead location, which has been recently refurbished to a high specification, will accommodate 20 care leavers requiring step down provision before they move on into their more permanent housing. We will be operational from October 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an expanding service that is already well established in Kingston.
We have a number of vacancies available for housing professionals who would like to join Achieving for Children and be part of this new team in Maidenhead providing a supportive environment that empowers our care leavers to reach their potential and prepare them for more independent living.
Please note this role requires the ability to work a flexible shift rota consisting of two early shifts (starting at 8:00 AM) and two late shifts (2:00 PM – 10:00 PM).
About the role:
This post will be based with the housing & Outreach Support Team (HOST) and you will be working at our new supported housing project in Maidenhead. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and manage a new team supporting a step down provision for 20 care leavers. You will be fully responsible for all aspects of operating a trauma informed home to ensure our young people are safe and prepared for more independent living. You will be responsible for leading and managing the delivery of high quality support and management services.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leadership and supervision of a team of housing professionals;
- Ensuring referrals are suitable and liaising with the care leavers professional networks;
- Ensuring costs are within budget, rental income is maximised and voids are minimised;
- Ensuring health and safety compliance;
- Ensuring licence compliance and user participation is embedded within the home.
About you:
We are looking for an experienced housing professional educated to Level 3 or above. You will have the following skills and experience:
- Managing a service delivering outcomes for vulnerable young people within a social care setting;
- A comprehensive knowledge of managing risk, including safeguarding and challenging behaviour;
- Managing a team of staff, including performance and professional development;
- Maintaining financial records and managing budgets;
- Being solution focused and working flexibly and independently with limited management oversight;
- Ability to work early shifts starting at 8am and late shifts finishing at 10pm.
About our benefits:
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month;
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC;
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension);
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance;
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme;
- A range of staff benefits and discounts;
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.
Important Information:
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Housing & Support Manager in Windsor employer: Achieving For Children
Achieving for Children is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead and shape a brand-new supported accommodation service in Maidenhead. With a strong commitment to providing high-quality support for vulnerable young people, we foster a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development and personal growth. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the benefits of flexible working arrangements and being part of a dedicated team focused on positive outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing & Support Manager in Windsor
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Achieving For Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Achieving For Children!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Achieving For Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Achieving For Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing & Support Manager in Windsor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Achieving For Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Achieving For Children! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Achieving For Children
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
