At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower young people to achieve independence and lead a supportive housing team.
- Company: Outward, a respected provider of care services for vulnerable individuals in London.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, comprehensive training, and employee assistance programmes.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to safeguarding and promoting equality.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people facing challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in supported living and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28795 - 37992 £ per year.
Contract: Full-time/Permanent - 38 hours per week
Salary: £33,744 per annum
Location: Hackney & Waltham Forest area
About Outward
For 50 years, Outward has been providing high-quality support and care services to vulnerable people across London, predominantly in North East London. Established by families seeking alternatives to institutional care, we have grown into a respected provider of person-centred support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and complex needs. We support over 1,000 people across nine boroughs, guided by our core values: engage, enable, and empower.
About the Role
Are you passionate about empowering young people and shaping services that support their journey to independence? Outward is seeking a dynamic Deputy Manager to join our Young People’s Supported Housing Team. This is your chance to make a real difference in the lives of care leavers and young people facing housing and mental health challenges. As Deputy Manager, you will take day-to-day responsibility for a group of services supporting young people transitioning to independent living. Working closely with a passionate and skilled team, you will ensure a high-quality, sensitive, and responsive supported housing management service across your designated patch. You will play a key leadership role in the day-to-day running of one or more services, supporting the Supported Housing Manager in supervising staff, overseeing rota planning, promoting quality and compliance, and maintaining strong partnerships with families and professionals.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor Support Officers and Senior Support Workers
- Plan rotas and manage service delivery to meet both contractual requirements and the aspirations of young people
- Ensure support and risk management plans are in place and effectively implemented
- Promote young people’s engagement in education, employment, and community life
- Oversee housing management tasks including health & safety checks, repairs, and tenancy processes
- Support staff development through supervision, training, and appraisals
- Deputise for the Supported Housing Manager when required
- Mentor, coach and lead staff through best practice, reflective supervision, and day-to-day operational guidance
- Support the development and regular review of support and risk plans tailored to individuals’ goals and preferences
- Provide a robust induction to new staff to include regular 1:1 mentoring, coaching and modelling best practice
- Build effective relationships with family members and stakeholders, advocating for the people we support
- Support positive behaviour support (PBS) approaches within the team and promote a strengths-based culture
- Monitor service performance and quality, ensuring services meet or exceed CQC standards
- Be a key player in implementing upcoming digital systems e.g Nourish, Sona etc
- Work closely with Supported Housing Manager with change implementation for frontline staff as and when required
- Contribute to audits, reporting, and inspection readiness
- Participate in on-call duties as part of the management rota
- Take part in assessments from receiving referrals and oversee void management
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone with integrity, energy and a commitment to empowering people with complex needs to lead fulfilling lives. You will support the team to develop support plans and risk assessments that reflect people’s needs, preferences and aspirations; creating a culture where plans are actively implemented and reviewed so that people are supported in the way that they want.
Requirements
Essential
- Experience in managing or deputising within supported living or residential care services
- Strong understanding of the challenges faced by young people leaving care or experiencing housing need
- Skills in risk assessment, crisis management, and housing management processes
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting young people’s rights
- Ability to manage performance and motivate staff teams
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to liaise with professionals, families, and staff
- Ability to motivate, support and lead a team in a flexible and responsive manner
- Established commitment to safeguarding, equality, and the rights of people with disabilities
- Comfortable working weekends, evenings, and providing on-call support on a rota basis where need be
- Proficient IT skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, case management systems)
- Staff must have access to a smartphone capable of receiving SMS messages and installing authentication apps for secure systems access
- Right to Work in the UK. Please note: Outward will not provide visa sponsorship
Desirable
- Experience supporting service users in supported living or outreach services
- Formal qualification in health and social care (e.g. Level 3 or 5 Diploma)
- Experience working with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
- Experience contributing to service quality audits and CQC compliance
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expect all staff to share this commitment. If the post you apply for involves working with or having access to adults at risk and/or their records, we will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. This will be fully subsidised by Outward.
How to Apply
The above is not an exhaustive list of requirements for the role. If you think you are who we are looking for, please submit a CV and statement detailing how you feel your experiences meets the requirements of the role by referring to the Job Responsibilities and the Person Specification. There is no specific closing date for this advert. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Benefits
We value everything our staff do for the people we support, so we provide a great benefits package:
- 25 days Annual Leave excluding Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time)
- Comprehensive Learning & Development Programme
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme
- Death in Service Benefit
- Health Assured - Employee Assistance Programme
- Eye care Vouchers
- Flu Jab Reimbursement
- Pension Scheme
- Purchase Additional Annual Leave
- Refer-a-Friend Scheme
Diversity and Safeguarding at Outward
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Outward applies its Equal Opportunities Policy at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection is carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age or trade union membership. Outward is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. If the post you apply for involves working with or having access to adults at risk and/or their records, we will require a DBS for successful candidates.
Deputy Manager - Young People Supported Living Services in London employer: Outward Housing
Outward Housing is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and residents. With a commitment to fair pay and comprehensive training, employees have ample opportunities for personal and professional growth while making a meaningful impact in the Greater London community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Young People Supported Living Services in London
✨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 Outward Housing.
✨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 Outward Housing!
✨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 Outward Housing, 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 Outward Housing 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 Manager - Young People Supported Living Services in London
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 Outward Housing:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Outward Housing! 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 Outward Housing
✨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.
