At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support residential services for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
- Company: Milestones Trust, a values-driven charity focused on person-centred care.
- Benefits: 34 days annual leave, flexible working, health cash plan, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to positive change and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in care management and a passion for supporting individuals with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Milestones Trust is looking for an experienced and values-driven candidate for a Service Manager to lead our Forestview and Shalom residential services for adults with learning disabilities and autism. These services are located in Baydon and Marlborough, Wiltshire. Forestview and Shalom each have their own identity, staff teams, and strengths.
As Service Manager, you will work in close alignment with Service Coordinators to ensure both services continue to provide safe, consistent, and truly person-centred support that reflects the needs, communication styles, and aspirations of the people who live there. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll be visible, approachable, and supportive. You’ll model Milestones Trust’s behaviour norms by taking ownership of challenges, communicating openly and often, working collaboratively across services, and seeing problems through until solutions are found. You will be championing good practice and addressing challenges with confidence and compassion.
We are looking for a leader who acts with integrity, builds trust quickly, and assumes positive intent in others. You will communicate honestly, follow through on commitments, and encourage the same standards across your teams. You will play a key role in developing stable teams, embedding positive cultures, and maintaining strong relationships with families, commissioners, and partner organisations. You’ll have the opportunity to shape how these services grow and develop, whether that’s improving outcomes from inspections, strengthening autism-informed practice, or helping teams feel proud of the work they do every day.
Key Duties:- Provide strong, consistent leadership, encouraging autonomy and accountability while ensuring decisions remain within agreed governance, safeguarding, and regulatory frameworks.
- Ensure high standards of care, compliance, and safeguarding, taking timely action where improvements are needed.
- Lead service development and continuous improvement, using feedback, audits, and quality frameworks.
- Create supportive working environments where staff feel listened to, valued, and confident in their roles.
- Work closely with families, social workers, health professionals, and commissioners to deliver coordinated, responsive support.
This role would suit someone who enjoys ownership, values open and respectful challenge, believes in shared responsibility, and is motivated by building solutions - not just identifying problems. Here at Milestones Trust we recognise that without the hard work, commitment and passion of our staff, we wouldn’t be the charity we are today. That’s why we are committed to rewarding you with a competitive pay and benefits package including:
- 34 days’ annual leave, including recognised public holidays.
- Learning and development to support your career growth.
- Nationally recognised qualifications, from entry-level care to management.
- Flexible working, with rotas provided in advance.
- Occupational Sick Pay after two years, increasing with service.
- Health Cash Plan after probation, offering at least £695 cashback for health treatments (dental, optical, therapies, maternity/paternity, prescriptions).
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
- Free enhanced DBS check.
- Dayforce Wallet, giving you access to your earnings before payday.
- Employee referral scheme with financial rewards.
- Employee Assistance Programme from day one, offering confidential 24/7 support.
- Company pension scheme to help grow your retirement savings.
Service Manager employer: Milestones Trust
Milestones Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where every team member is valued and encouraged to grow. Located in the picturesque settings of Baydon and Marlborough, Wiltshire, employees benefit from a competitive pay and benefits package, including generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive health support. As a Service Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to lead meaningful change in the lives of adults with learning disabilities and autism, while being part of a dedicated team that champions person-centred care and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Milestones Trust. Check out their website and social media to understand their values and how they support their staff and residents. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a friend or family member and run through some common interview questions. Focus on how your experience aligns with the role of Service Manager. Highlight your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed teams in the past. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your vision! Think about how you would lead the Forestview and Shalom services. Prepare to discuss specific strategies for improving outcomes and fostering a positive culture. Show them you’re not just about identifying problems but also about building solutions!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a fantastic fit for the Service Manager position at Milestones Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Be Person-Centred:Make sure to highlight your experience in providing person-centred support. We’re all about tailoring our services to meet individual needs, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Demonstrate Leadership Skills:As a Service Manager, strong leadership is key. Use your application to showcase your leadership style and how you’ve successfully led teams in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and motivate others!
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 keen to join our team at Milestones Trust!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milestones Trust
✨Know the Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Milestones Trust's values and how they align with your own. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your commitment to person-centred support and leadership.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
As a Service Manager, you'll need to showcase your leadership style during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you encourage autonomy and accountability within your teams, and be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past.
✨Communicate Openly
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to communicate openly and honestly, especially when discussing challenges and solutions you've encountered.
✨Engage with Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and approach to service development. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, focusing on collaboration and positive outcomes.
