At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage services to support individuals facing mental health and social challenges.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to breaking down barriers for those in need.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Management qualification or relevant experience in supporting vulnerable clients.
The predicted salary is between 51060 - 51060 £ per year.
Location: 11–12 Eldon Place, Bradford, BD1 3AZ
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £35,520 - £51,060 per annum
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About The Role
To manage and lead the delivery of a single service, ensuring safe, effective, and high-quality provision for individuals accessing support. The postholder will oversee and support the operational team within the service, ensuring performance targets and quality standards are consistently met. As part of the wider organisational structure, the role will contribute to the effective delivery of the service, maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders and partners. The postholder will be expected to work flexibly and represent Waythrough at meetings, partnership forums, and other engagements as required.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and assist in the management of services delivered by the teams in your service.
- Ensure all service users receive appropriate and quality assessments, action plans (to support recovery, independent living or sustainable employment).
- Develop and implement a business plan for your services in conjunction with senior management.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to develop and expand Waythrough’s services in line with the Regional/Area Business Plans.
- Ensure high-quality support is provided through effective needs assessment, interventions, risk assessment and support planning and implement a structured programme of meaningful activities.
- Manage, mentor, coach and ensure the development of staff reporting to you, including volunteers.
- Manage the budgets attached to your services in conjunction with Waythrough’s Finance Team ensuring that financial targets are met.
- Support and ensure effective systems are in place for monitoring and recording all aspects of the service(s) directed by the contract.
- Analyse information and utilise analysis to continuously improve the service.
- Implement financial and administrative control systems and operate within agreed budgets.
- Ensure that services work within the required standards of the Quality Assessment Framework.
- Contribute to the development of and management of Waythrough through working as part of the regional management team and via membership of relevant management teams and working groups.
- Take responsibility for Health and Safety issues within the working environment and to take the lead on premises management and building maintenance where appropriate.
- Provide reports and statistical data on service performance as required and utilise effective performance management techniques to ensure that targets are being met.
To Succeed in This Role
Essential:
- Hold or working towards a recognised Management qualification e.g. Level 5 in Management / Leadership (or have relevant time served experience).
- Education Services: Degree and PGCE or equivalent (or have relevant time served experience).
- Knowledge and experience of supporting vulnerable clients.
- Experience of managing and delivering high quality and effective support services to achieve outcomes and key performance indicators.
- Experience of overseeing delivery of a wide range of interventions.
- Experience of liaising with Commissioners / stakeholders and representing the employing organisation and their services positively.
- Experience of working with models of service delivery and issues relating to recovery planning/ housing support/ employability.
- Strong budget management skills with experience of payment by results.
- Sound knowledge of local safeguarding frameworks.
- Proficient in Microsoft Outlook Office programmes.
- Ability to use Management Information Systems effectively along with good data analysis skills.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 2026-09-27
Service Manager in Bradford employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the community, offering Health and Wellbeing Nurses a chance to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to a vital cause. Located in Leeds, the role provides a unique opportunity to work across various sites, fostering collaboration and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager in Bradford
✨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 Recovery Focus.
✨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 Recovery Focus!
✨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 Recovery Focus, 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 Recovery Focus 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 in Bradford
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 Recovery Focus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Recovery Focus! 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 Recovery Focus
✨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.
