At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to empower learning-disabled adults and create meaningful support services.
- Company: Hft, a leading social care provider with a focus on inclusivity.
- Benefits: 33 days' annual leave, award-winning training, flexible pay options, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a warm, supportive team dedicated to positive outcomes for everyone.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others achieve independence and live life their way.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing supported living services and strong leadership skills.
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 Darwen employer: Hft
At Hft, we pride ourselves on being a leading Social Care provider that champions the independence and dignity of learning-disabled adults. As a Deputy Service Manager, you will thrive in a supportive and inclusive work culture that values your leadership and empowers you to make a real difference in people's lives. With access to award-winning training, flexible pay options, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, Hft offers a fulfilling environment where you can grow professionally while helping others achieve their goals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Service Manager in Darwen
✨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 Hft.
✨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 Hft!
✨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 Hft, 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 Hft 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 Deputy Service Manager in Darwen
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 Hft:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hft! 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 Hft
✨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.
