At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a pioneering service supporting vulnerable young people in overcoming challenges.
- Company: Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, healthcare plan, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to ending youth homelessness by 2037.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and influence systemic change.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing services for young people with complex needs and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52100 £ per year.
Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for a Service Manager (Registered Service Manager) to lead our innovative London Accommodation Pathfinder (LAP) service in London.
About us
We help vulnerable young people by providing the practical and emotional support they need to secure housing, access education and employment opportunities, and build independent lives. Together with our partners, we support over 16,000 young people every year and are working towards our ambition of ending youth homelessness by 2037.
About the service
The London Accommodation Pathfinder (LAP) is an exciting pan‑London pilot developed in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and key youth justice stakeholders. The service has been designed to address the overrepresentation of racially minoritised young people in custody by providing a community‑based alternative to custody for 16 and 17‑year‑olds. Supporting up to five young people at any one time, the service delivers intensive, trauma‑informed support that promotes positive outcomes, reduces risk and helps young people build brighter futures. This is an opportunity to be part of a pioneering programme that has the potential to influence wider system change across youth justice and accommodation services.
About the role
As Service Manager, you will hold Registered Service Manager responsibilities for this specialist Ofsted‑regulated service. You will provide visible leadership, oversee day‑to‑day operations, manage and develop a multidisciplinary team, and ensure the delivery of safe, high‑quality support for young people. You'll work closely with Youth Justice Services, Local Authorities, courts, the Ministry of Justice and a range of specialist partners to ensure young people receive coordinated support that helps them achieve positive outcomes and reduce their involvement in the criminal justice system.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the day‑to‑day delivery of a specialist supported accommodation service.
- Managing, developing and motivating a multidisciplinary staff team.
- Holding Registered Service Manager responsibilities and maintaining Ofsted registration.
- Ensuring compliance with Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023 and maintaining inspection readiness.
- Leading safeguarding practice, risk management and incident response within the service.
- Overseeing referrals, placements and case management to ensure young people receive appropriate support.
- Embedding trauma‑informed, psychologically informed and restorative approaches across the service.
- Building strong partnerships with Youth Justice Services, Local Authorities, commissioners and other statutory agencies.
- Managing service performance, occupancy levels and budgets.
- Driving continuous improvement through quality assurance, audits and service development activities.
About you
We're looking for a passionate and experienced leader who can create positive outcomes for young people facing significant challenges. You will have:
- Experience managing services supporting children or young people with complex needs, trauma, offending histories or high‑risk behaviours.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and practice relating to children and young people.
- Experience working within youth justice services, alternatives to custody, resettlement or related statutory environments.
- Proven leadership experience within complex, high‑risk settings.
- The ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams delivering person‑centred support.
- Excellent partnership‑building skills and experience working across multi‑agency environments.
- Strong decision‑making, risk management and problem‑solving abilities.
- Experience embedding trauma‑informed and restorative approaches into practice.
- Excellent communication, report‑writing and stakeholder management skills.
- A commitment to anti‑discriminatory practice and improving outcomes for racially minoritised young people.
- A Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification, or willingness to work towards one.
Why join Centrepoint?
In return for your efforts you'll receive a competitive salary, excellent training and development opportunities, and a host of staff benefits including:
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days with service
- Healthcare cash plan
- Private medical insurance
- Income protection
- Employer pension contributions of 5%
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Interest‑free season ticket loan
At Centrepoint we challenge the discrimination within society that contributes to youth homelessness, and we are equally committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Please note: This is an Ofsted-regulated role.
Service Manager (Registered Service Manager) employer: Centrepoint
Centrepoint is an exceptional employer dedicated to ending youth homelessness and providing meaningful support to vulnerable young people. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and comprehensive benefits including healthcare plans and generous leave, Centrepoint fosters an inclusive environment where staff can thrive while making a significant impact in the community. Join us in London to lead innovative services that change lives and contribute to systemic change in youth justice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager (Registered Service Manager)
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Centrepoint.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Centrepoint.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Centrepoint.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Centrepoint. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager (Registered Service Manager)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Centrepoint. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Service Manager (Registered Service Manager), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrepoint
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Centrepoint. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
