At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a new mental health supported living service from the ground up.
- Company: Join a leading charity dedicated to supporting adults with mental health needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full support, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Enjoy a blank-canvas opportunity with strong local support networks.
- Why this job: Shape a service and team while making a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in management and mental health services required.
The predicted salary is between 38493 - 40521 £ per year.
Location: Shrewsbury
Salary: £38,493 – £40,521 per annum
Contact: Full-Time, Permanent 37.5 hours per week
The Opportunity
We are partnering with one of the country’s leading charities supporting adults who is opening a brand-new acute mental health supported living service, in Shrewsbury, and is looking for a Local Service Manager to lead it from the ground up. This is a genuinely rare opportunity to build a service and a team from scratch. You will recruit your own staff team, shape how the service operates day to day, and put your own stamp on the culture and standards from day one. You will be fully supported throughout by an experienced Area Service Manager alongside structured shadowing and training in the early months.
About the Service
- Supported living service for adults with acute mental health needs, including conditions such as schizophrenia and personality disorders
- 10 self-contained flats, each with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living space, plus communal areas and an on-site office
- 24-hour staffing model with waking night staff a team of approximately 12-15 staff including bank workers
- Non-CQC regulated service
- Located close to other services across Shrewsbury and Telford, providing a strong local support network
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strong, values-led leadership in building and developing a new service team from the ground up
- Lead on the recruitment, induction, training and performance management of all staff, including senior support workers and night staff
- Oversee tenant vetting and the safe, well-paced onboarding of all new residents
- Ensure delivery of safe, effective and person-centred support, including oversight of support planning and risk management
- Maintain compliance with relevant legislation, safeguarding and regulatory requirements
- Build and manage strong working relationships with the local authority, healthcare professionals, families and other external partners
What We're Looking For
- Minimum 12 months' experience in a management role within health or social care
- Minimum 12 months' experience working within mental health services
- A strong, demonstrable understanding of acute mental health conditions and recovery-focused approaches
- Practical experience of housing management rent, arrears, budgets and Universal Credit
- Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills, with the confidence to build a team and a culture from scratch
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance
- Desirable: Level 5 Health & Social Care qualification already held
- Background as a Mental Health Practitioner, such as an RMN, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist
Why Join
- A true blank-canvas opportunity to build your own team and shape the service from day one
- Full support from an experienced Area Service Manager and a pay-protected manager during your first months
- Platinum Employer Award status, with a significantly increased budget this year for internal and external qualifications and training
Interview Process
A two-stage process: an initial Microsoft Teams interview focused on the role and your suitability, followed by a values-based second-stage interview in person, including a short presentation (approx. 15 minutes) on how you would approach fully staffing the service and onboarding tenants.
Contact Details
If you wish to either apply or gain further information, please contact Ed at Compass Associates on 02394 214 487 or email.
Recommendations
Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £200 in John Lewis vouchers or £200 charity donation for each successful recommendation. Compass Associates, established in 2009, is an award-winning, UK specialist Health and Social Care Recruitment Consultancy providing tailored, high quality recruitment solutions for all permanent assignments.
Local Service Manager in Newport employer: Compass Associates
Join a leading charity in Shrewsbury as a Local Service Manager, where you will have the unique opportunity to build a new acute mental health supported living service from the ground up. With a strong commitment to employee development, including a pay-protected manager during your initial months and access to extensive training budgets, you will thrive in a supportive and values-driven work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth. This role not only allows you to shape the service and team but also to make a meaningful impact in the lives of adults with acute mental health needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Local Service Manager in Newport
✨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 Compass Associates.
✨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 Compass Associates!
✨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 Compass Associates, 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 Compass Associates 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 Local Service Manager in Newport
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 Compass Associates:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Compass Associates! 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 Compass Associates
✨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.
