Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to empower learning-disabled adults and create meaningful support services.
- Company: Hft, a leading Social Care provider dedicated to inclusivity and empowerment.
- Benefits: 33 days' annual leave, award-winning training, flexible pay options, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a warm, inclusive team committed to high-quality, sustainable services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while fostering independence and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in supported living services and strong leadership skills required.
Lead with Purpose. Inspire Independence. At Hft, a leading Social Care provider, we stand alongside learning-disabled adults, empowering them to live life their way. As a Deputy Service Manager, you’ll work closely with the Service Manager to create supported living services that provide genuine choice, independence, and opportunities to achieve goals. You’ll lead and inspire your team to deliver safe, inclusive, and person-centred support, turning everyday moments into experiences that bring dignity, skill-building, and belonging. Your leadership will have a direct, positive impact on the lives of the people we support.
What you'll be doing
- Spend at least 20% of your time on shift, supporting your team, role-modelling great practice, and mentoring colleagues
- Lead by example, promoting kindness, respect, and person-centred values in everyday practice
- Coordinate and oversee person-centred support across multiple services, ensuring consistency and quality
- Keep services safe, compliant, and focused on positive outcomes for the people we support
- Observe and support your team’s practice, offering constructive feedback and guidance for continuous improvement
- Encourage and develop your team, helping them grow in confidence, skills, and expertise
- Build open, trusting relationships with families, carers, partners, and external agencies
- Support your Service Manager by stepping in when needed, ensuring services run smoothly and consistently
- Take part in the on-call duty manager rota and occasionally support in other services, helping the wider team as needed
Who You Are
- You’re passionate about enabling learning disabled adults to live life their way, and you bring:
- Experience managing supported living services for learning disabled adults
- A Level 4 Lead Practitioner Diploma in Adult Care or hold a Level 3 diploma and be willing to undertake this apprenticeship qualification within an agreed reasonable timescale as part of a development plan
- Strong leadership skills that inspire and develop your team
- A proactive, solution-focused approach to delivering excellent services
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Life at Hft
Joining Hft means becoming part of a team that believes every learning disabled adult should have the opportunity to live life their way. We’re a social care provider with a clear focus on the people we support, and we’re committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable services. In this role, your leadership will directly influence how people achieve their goals, build independence, and engage with their communities. You’ll be part of a warm, inclusive environment where your guidance helps teams grow, take initiative, and deliver experiences that truly matter. Our values guide everything we do: we’re kind and compassionate, inclusive, positive, and solution-focused, with a clear vision for the best possible life for everyone we work alongside.
What We Offer
- A role with real impact, where your leadership empowers others
- A warm, supportive, and inclusive team culture.
- 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays)
- Access to award-winning training and career development
- Flexible pay options via Wagestream
- Wellbeing support including Digital GP, counselling, and mental health services
- Discounts on mobiles, life assurance, and referral rewards
- Family-friendly policies and return-to-work bonuses
Stand alongside learning disabled adults as they live life their way. Apply today and become part of a future where everyone’s life is truly their own.
Accessibility: We believe everyone should have the support they need to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process or in the role itself, Hft - proudly a Disability Confident Employer - is committed to ensuring disabled people can apply, succeed, and thrive with us.
Background checks: We’re committed to keeping the people we support safe, so this role requires a satisfactory DBS and background checks. Don’t worry; we’ll guide you through the process.
Deputy Service Manager in Abingdon employer: Hft
Contact Detail:
Hft Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Service Manager in Abingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out Hft's values and mission, and think about how your own experiences align with their focus on kindness, respect, and person-centred support. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've inspired your team or made a positive impact in previous roles. Be ready to share these during your interview to demonstrate your strong leadership skills and proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team dynamics at Hft. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Hft and the amazing work they do in supporting learning-disabled adults.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Service Manager in Abingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting learning-disabled adults shine through. We want to see how you connect with our mission and values, so share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to empowering others.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for candidates who can lead with purpose and inspire independence, so align your examples with these key themes.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Hft!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hft
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on Hft's values and how they align with your own. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've demonstrated kindness, respect, and person-centred values in your previous roles. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you inspire and develop your team. Think of instances where you’ve successfully mentored colleagues or led by example. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in a supportive environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations related to supported living services. Practice responses that showcase your proactive, solution-focused mindset. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, an interview is a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.