At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a new Supported Accommodation Service for young people.
- Company: A forward-thinking organisation dedicated to empowering youth in County Durham.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership development, flexible work practices, and employee rewards.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to excellence and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while shaping a vital service.
- Qualifications: Level 5 Management Qualification and experience in supported accommodation or social care.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Every young person deserves the chance to feel safe, valued and hopeful about their future.
In County Durham, we are creating something special.
We are developing a supported accommodation service that will empower young people to build independence, develop confidence and achieve their ambitions.
We are looking for an exceptional leader to help make that vision a reality.
This is more than a management role.
It is an opportunity to shape a new service from the ground up, influence the future of supported accommodation across County Durham and make a lasting difference to the lives of young people.
If you are ambitious, passionate about quality, and driven by the belief that every young person can thrive with the right support, we would love to hear from you.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
As Service Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of our Supported Accommodation Service, ensuring young people receive outstanding care, support and opportunities as they move towards adulthood.
Working closely with the Strategic Manager and senior leaders, you will help create a service recognised for excellence, innovation and positive outcomes.
You will play a pivotal role in developing new provisions, building high‑performing teams and creating environments where young people feel safe, listened to and supported to achieve their goals.
This is a rare opportunity to leave your mark on a growing service while leading talented and committed professionals who share your passion for making a difference.
- WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Lead and inspire a developing Supported Accommodation Service.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership that drives excellent outcomes for young people.
- Act as the Registered Service Manager and maintain fitness requirements in line with Ofsted expectations.
- Ensure services consistently meet and exceed Supported Accommodation Regulations and Quality Standards.
- Champion a culture of excellence, accountability, curiosity and continuous improvement.
- Lead audits, quality assurance activity, service reviews and improvement programmes that make a real difference.
- Develop, coach and motivate staff teams to be the very best they can be.
- Prepare services for inspection and build strong relationships with Ofsted and key partners.
- Support the development, registration and mobilisation of future supported accommodation provisions.
- Be a visible and approachable leader who inspires confidence in young people, staff and stakeholders alike.
- WHAT YOU'LL BRING
We're looking for someone who combines professional expertise with genuine passion and purpose.
- A Level 5 Management Qualification.
- Significant experience working within supported accommodation, residential care, social work, housing support or a related social care environment.
- The skills, knowledge and experience required to register as a Service Manager.
- Experience of driving quality assurance, service improvement and organisational development.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and risk management.
- Experience of leading teams through change and maintaining high standards of performance.
- A commitment to listening to young people and ensuring their voices shape the services they receive.
Most importantly, you'll be someone who sees potential in every young person and is determined to help them succeed.
OUR DURHAM VALUES
Everything we do is underpinned by our Durham values
Our service is built on the 'Durham' values - Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset which are at the heart of everything we do for both our young people and our teams.
These aren't just words. They're the foundation of our culture and the way we work every day.
WHAT WE OFFER
In return, we offer more than a competitive salary. You'll join a forward-thinking organisation that is committed to developing services and investing in its people.
- Comprehensive leadership and management development opportunities.
- A strong culture of support and professional growth.
- Opportunities to influence and shape future services.
- Flexible and family‑friendly employment practices.
- Access to a wide range of employee rewards and benefits.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of County Durham's young people.
- INTERVIEWS
It is anticipated that interviews will take place on 10 September 2026.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement.
We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
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Service Manager - Supported Accomodation Service in North East employer: North East Combined Authority
Northern Education Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the life chances of children and young people. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for career progression across our family of schools. Our supportive work culture, combined with benefits like free flu vaccinations and onsite parking, makes Hetton Academy a rewarding place to work for those passionate about student wellbeing.
Contact Details:
North East Combined Authority Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Supported Accomodation Service in North East
✨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 North East Combined Authority.
✨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 North East Combined Authority!
✨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 North East Combined Authority, 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 North East Combined Authority 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 Service Manager - Supported Accomodation Service in North East
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 North East Combined Authority:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North East Combined Authority! 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 North East Combined Authority
✨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.
