At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop Independent Living services, ensuring safety and compliance for residents.
- Company: Join Saffron, a community-focused organisation dedicated to inclusive living.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, professional development, health schemes, and employee assistance.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong support for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience; management qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Independent Living Manager to lead and develop Saffron's Independent Living services, ensuring they are safe, compliant, person‑centred, and financially sustainable.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Provide leadership to Independent Living Team, estates, and tenancy management.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality, person‑centred housing support that enables residents to live safely and independently.
- Write, review, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and guidance covering service delivery, safeguarding, complaints handling, tenancy/leasehold management, service charges, and health & safety.
- Ensure compliance with housing law, health & safety, fire safety, Equality Act, GDPR, adult safeguarding legislation, and (where applicable) CQC frameworks.
- Own the end‑to‑end complaints process, ensuring timely, fair, and resident‑focused resolutions and clear remedies.
- Provide leadership and oversight to ensure the team works collaboratively with wider Tenant Services, promoting compliance with tenancy agreements, proactively addressing breaches, and supporting sustainable and successful tenancies.
- Oversee leasehold services, lease compliance, resident consultations, alterations, and dispute resolution.
- Build strong partnerships with Local Authorities, health providers, care agencies, and other organisations.
Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Education and Qualifications:
- Educated to degree level or qualified by experience.
- Management qualification.
- CIH Level 3 or higher, or the ability to obtain.
Experience:
- Managing multidisciplinary teams and external contracts.
- Extensive leadership experience in supported housing, social care, or independent living.
- Financial acumen and risk management expertise.
- Commissioning services; partnership working across housing/health/VCSE.
- Contract management and supplier performance.
- Extensive experience of CQC‑regulated environments and quality frameworks.
- Managing complaints and Ombudsman cases; drafting formal responses and implementing determinations.
- Leasehold/service charge management within social housing context.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, housing compliance, GDPR and Equality Act.
- Complaint managing best practice, two‑stage procedures and learning culture.
- Knowledge of leasehold frameworks, Section 20 consultation, and resident rights.
- Excellent communication; written responses, committee papers, resident‑friendly messages.
- IT proficiency (MS Office, housing systems, digital engagement tools).
Personal Attributes:
- Emotional resilience and ability to manage complex situations.
- Inclusive leadership; coaching style, growth mindset.
- Full UK driving licence and the ability to travel independently.
Please note this role is subject to a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Equal Opportunities
We are an inclusive employer committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and have a zero tolerance policy relating to discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the Saffron Community.
Benefits
- Learning and Development – covers the membership fee of a professional body relevant to your role, and opportunities for training and courses.
- Generous holiday entitlement, holiday trading, volunteer and study days, and enhanced family leave.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme, trained mental health first aiders and wellbeing check‑ins.
- Aviva pension scheme – choose your contribution and Saffron match up to 10%, and life assurance cover.
- Health schemes – Bupa Private Medical Insurance, Medicash cashback plan (eligible after probation completion).
- Salary sacrifice schemes – cycle‑to‑work and Tusker car scheme.
- Shopping discounts and access to Employee Assistance Programme.
- Staff recognition awards.
- Support for your qualifications.
- Access to mental health first aiders.
Independent Living Manager in Norwich employer: CIH International Housing Group
Saffron is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees, offering a supportive work culture that values inclusivity and collaboration. As an Independent Living Manager, you will benefit from generous holiday entitlements, comprehensive learning and development opportunities, and access to health schemes, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of residents. With a commitment to employee recognition and a strong focus on mental health support, Saffron fosters an environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
Contact Details:
CIH International Housing Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Living Manager in Norwich
✨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 CIH International Housing Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨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 CIH International Housing Group 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 Independent Living Manager in Norwich
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 CIH International Housing Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to CIH International Housing Group! 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 CIH International Housing Group
✨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.
