Deputy Service Manager - Preston in Darwen

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.

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.