At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support young people transitioning from care to independence.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a rewarding role with competitive pay and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with care leavers and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Supported Housing Manager to lead our Aspirations Supported Housing Service. This is a rewarding opportunity to support care-experienced young people aged 16-25 to develop independence and successfully move into their own tenancies. If you are a confident leader with a commitment to safeguarding and empowering young people, we want to hear from you.
About the service
The Aspirations Supported Housing Service provides high-quality supported accommodation for young people transitioning from care. Delivered across shared houses, the service helps young people build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to live independently and thrive.
The role
As Supported Housing Manager, you will lead the operational delivery of the service, ensuring young people receive safe, high-quality, trauma-informed support. You will manage and develop a small staff team, providing regular supervision, guidance, and support to ensure effective performance and development. You will oversee the day-to-day running of supported accommodation, ensuring that services operate smoothly and efficiently. You will ensure that properties are safe, well-maintained, and fully compliant with all relevant health and safety standards. Additionally, you will manage tenancies, including occupancy levels, rent arrears, and move-on plans for residents. You will work in partnership with housing providers, social care teams, and landlords to secure suitable long-term housing solutions. You will also monitor service performance, produce reports, and drive continuous improvement across the service. You will ensure accurate case recording, compliance with required standards, and readiness for audits and inspections. Finally, you will manage budgets and oversee financial processes, including rent collection and Housing Benefit administration.
The ideal candidate
We are looking for someone who is motivated, compassionate, and experienced in working with vulnerable young people. You will have:
- Experience working with care leavers, looked-after children, or vulnerable young people
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, Leaving Care legislation, and trauma-informed practice
- Experience leading or managing teams or supported accommodation services
- Confidence working with complex needs, risk, and crisis situations
- Excellent communication, organisational, and partnership-working skills
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
A relevant qualification (e.g., social care, housing, youth work, or Level 5 Leadership & Management) and experience in semi-independent accommodation or tenancy management is desirable.
Working Arrangements:
The majority of time will be on site in the houses or at the office for team meetings etc. There will be some home working up to one day per week.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Read.
Interview details:
Interviews will be held on Monday 6th July 2026.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under our corporate commitments and meet the minimum criteria; however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. Please note: We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
Safeguarding
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information. You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Aspirations Supported Housing Manager - Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community, particularly for care-experienced young people. With a strong commitment to values such as respect, integrity, and inclusivity, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and development. The role of Supported Housing Manager offers the unique opportunity to lead a passionate team while directly contributing to the empowerment and independence of vulnerable individuals in a vibrant coastal city.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aspirations Supported Housing Manager - Portsmouth
✨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 Portsmouth City Council.
✨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 Portsmouth City Council!
✨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 Portsmouth City Council, 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 Portsmouth City Council 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 Aspirations Supported Housing Manager - Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portsmouth City Council! 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 Portsmouth City Council
✨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.
