At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Recovery Lounges, providing vital support to individuals in crisis.
- Company: Join Mind BLMK, a passionate organisation dedicated to mental health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic, rewarding role with a focus on community impact and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community by supporting mental health during critical hours.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health support and team leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Make a difference in Luton, Bedfordshire and Central Bedfordshire.
Reference: 665
Reporting to: Operational Crisis Services Manager
Location: Mind BLMK HQ, Flitwick (As Needed) with travel expected to Bedford, Biggleswade, Luton & Leighton Buzzard sites up to 5 nights per week (rota to be managed by line manager as per business need).
Contract type: Permanent
Contracted hours: 35.25 per week
Work Pattern: Evening-focused work (5pm-11pm)
Salary: £28,581.08 per annum, actual for 35.25 hours per week (£30,000 per annum, F.T.E)
This is a dynamic, hands-on leadership role at the heart of crisis prevention across Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire. You will oversee the Recovery Lounge at a variety of locations (Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Bedford, and Biggleswade), guiding teams to deliver safe, responsive, and person-centred support in partnership with our stakeholders.
You will be a visible, motivating manager, supporting your team on the ground, building strong partnerships, and ensuring every service user who walks through the door feels heard, supported, and empowered to manage the challenges they present with.
About Us: Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.
About the Recovery Lounge Service: Between 5pm and 11pm, when many services close, managing mental health challenges can become more difficult, this is where our Recovery Lounges come in. The Recovery Lounges offer immediate, open access support, providing a compassionate, and non-judgmental space for people experiencing mental distress. With no appointment necessary, service users can access a community built on prevention and crisis support.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Managing Recovery Lounges
- Manage the delivery of a high-quality, responsive Recovery Lounge service across multiple sites
- Support individuals in distress, preventing escalation, de-escalating crisis, and promoting recovery
- Carry out assessments and provide 1:1 support when needed
- Ensure seamless pathways within statutory and crisis services
Inspire and Empower Your Team:
- Lead, support, and develop a team of staff and volunteers across multiple sites
- Create a positive, supportive culture where people thrive
- Manage rotas, ensure safe staffing levels, and step in when needed
- Deliver regular supervision, guidance, and development opportunities
Business Quality, Safety & Impact:
- Champion best practice in safeguarding, health & safety, and service delivery
- Monitor performance, outcomes, and service data to drive continuous improvement
- Ensure compliance with organisational standards and contract requirements
Build Community Connections:
- Act as a spokesperson for the service
- Develop partnerships with local organisations and community groups
- Strengthen pathways and signposting options for service users
What Makes This Role Different:
- This isn’t a 9-5 management role. It’s flexible, fast-paced, dynamic and deeply rewarding.
- Evening-focused work (5pm-11pm) when your impact is greatest
- Hybrid leadership - on-site, in the community, and at HQ in Flitwick
- Direct impact supporting people in local communities
About You:
You will ideally be an experienced, compassionate leader who thrives in dynamic environments. You bring both structure and empathy to the role, to support people in crisis while leading teams with confidence.
You’ll likely have:
- Experience leading teams such as a service manager role and delivering frontline services in crisis management
- A strong background in mental health support and assessing need
- The ability to build relationships across organisations and communities
- Confidence working in fast-paced, emotionally complex situations
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset to manage a fast-paced service working alongside NHS colleagues, CMHT, MHLT, A&E, Ambulance and Police Services
Entitlements/benefits:
- 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
- Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
- Optional Health Plan
- Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
- In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
- Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)
If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.
Closedown: 5pm on Wednesday 22nd July
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply.
Start date: ASAP
Candidates may also be searching for similar roles such as: Service Manager, Service Lead, Team Leader, Mental Health Manager, Recovery Manager, Crisis Café Manager, Sanctuary Manager.
Interested? If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer and actively promote equality, diversity and fairness. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of background or circumstances.
Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.
Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
No agencies please.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Lounge Manager in South Cave
✨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 Mind BLMK.
✨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 Mind BLMK!
✨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 Mind BLMK, 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 Mind BLMK 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 Recovery Lounge Manager in South Cave
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 Mind BLMK:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mind BLMK! 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 Mind BLMK
✨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.
