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- Tasks: Lead supported accommodation services for young people, ensuring safety and positive outcomes.
- Company: Choices Home for Children, dedicated to supporting youth towards independence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, health programme, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in supported accommodation management and strong safeguarding knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 42500 - 42500 £ per year.
We’re recruiting an experienced Service Manager to lead two Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation services for Looked After Children aged 16–18:
- Macclesfield (SK10): 2-bed service (1 young person currently in residence)
- Edgeley, Stockport (SK3): 2-bed service (1 young person currently in residence)
You’ll oversee quality, safeguarding, staff performance, and outcomes across both homes, with strong support from senior leadership and head office functions.
At Choices, we support young people to feel safe, build confidence, and move towards independence with the right guidance around them. This is a service where standards matter, safeguarding is taken seriously, and managers are backed by a strong head office team so you can focus on running a great service.
As Service Manager, you will lead a 16+ supported accommodation service and set the day-to-day culture across the provision. You’ll ensure consistent practice, strong safeguarding, and clear plans that help each young person move forward. This role suits someone who can balance care and control: warm with young people, clear with staff, and confident with partners and compliance.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the day-to-day running of the services, ensuring safe, structured, outcomes-focused support
- Act as safeguarding lead in practice, managing risk, incidents, and follow-up actions with calm decision-making
- Line manage staff through supervision, coaching, support, and performance management
- Ensure support plans, risk assessments, and daily recordings are strong and meaningful, not just paperwork
- Build effective relationships with social workers, commissioners, education, health, and other professionals
- Drive quality assurance, audits, and continuous improvement to keep the service inspection-ready
- Manage rotas, staffing levels, training, and general service performance
- Maintain a clear focus on independence skills, routines, engagement, and measurable progress for each young person
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- Previously held Ofsted registration within the last 2 years in supported accommodation (16–18)
- Experience managing or deputising in supported accommodation, semi-independent, or a closely related children and young people service
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and confidence making decisions under pressure
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or working towards)
- Confident leading teams, improving standards, and maintaining compliance and service reporting
- Organised, reliable, and outcomes-driven
Desirable
- Experience supporting care leavers or young people at risk of exploitation
- Experience supporting a service through inspection, audit, or quality improvement
- Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel locally
What You’ll Get at Choices
- £42,500 annual salary with a stable Monday to Friday working pattern
- Strong senior leadership support
- Head office support including HR, recruitment, and compliance backing
- Company pension
- Relaxed dress code
- Blue Light Card
- Employee Welfare Programme via salary sacrifice, including retail discounts plus GP and counselling hotlines
- Quarterly welfare raffle with prizes such as holidays, spa breaks, and cinema vouchers
- Discounted or free food
- Health & wellbeing programme
Safer Recruitment
Choices Home for Children is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete safer recruitment checks including an enhanced DBS, right to work checks, satisfactory references, and relevant vetting.
How to Apply
Apply with your CV. If you meet the essential criteria, we will arrange a short call followed by a structured interview.
Before You Apply, Please Consider
- Do you have the right to work in the UK?
- Do you have management experience in supported accommodation or semi-independent services?
- Have you held Ofsted registration within the last 2 years for a 16–18 supported accommodation service?
- Do you hold a Level 5 qualification, or are you working towards it?
- Are you able to work Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, across Macclesfield and Stockport?
Job Details
- Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
- Pay: £42,500.00 per year
Benefits
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Health & wellbeing programme
Experience
- Supported accommodation management: 3 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification
- Driving Licence (preferred)
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (preferred)
Work Authorisation
Right to work in the UK required (sponsorship not available)
Service Manager - Care Leavers Service (16-18) employer: SGS Care
Contact Detail:
SGS Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Care Leavers Service (16-18)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the care sector, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their approach to safeguarding and support for young people. This will help you demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for their culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to managing teams and handling challenging situations. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more confident and articulate during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Care Leavers Service (16-18)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Service Manager role. Highlight your previous experience in supported accommodation and any relevant qualifications, like your Level 5 Diploma.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about supporting young people. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles, and don’t forget to mention your safeguarding knowledge!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep your language clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward answers that demonstrate your understanding of the role and its responsibilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker!
How to prepare for a job interview at SGS Care
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of supported accommodation for 16-18 year-olds. Brush up on Ofsted regulations and be ready to discuss your previous experience managing similar services. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role, but that you’re passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Service Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed staff performance, provided coaching, or improved service standards in the past. Highlighting your leadership style will help them see you as a strong candidate.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills under pressure, especially regarding safeguarding. Think of specific situations where you had to manage risks or incidents, and explain how you handled them. This will showcase your calmness and confidence in challenging situations.
✨Connect with Their Values
Choices Home for Children values safety, independence, and strong relationships. During the interview, express your alignment with these values and share how you’ve fostered a supportive environment for young people in your previous roles. This connection can set you apart from other candidates.