At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage supported accommodation services for young people, ensuring safety and positive outcomes.
- Company: Choices Home for Children, dedicated to supporting young people's independence and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strong leadership support, relaxed dress code, and employee welfare programmes.
- Other info: Enjoy a stable Monday to Friday schedule 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 and strong safeguarding knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 46202 - 52100 £ 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.
About Choices Home for Children: 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.
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
£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.
Service Manager in Cheadle employer: SGS
Choices Home for Children is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing environment for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people. With strong backing from senior leadership and a focus on employee wellbeing, including a comprehensive health programme and flexible working patterns, staff are empowered to thrive in their roles. The company prioritises professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring that you can lead with confidence while fostering independence in the young people we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager in Cheadle
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by SGS.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like SGS.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at SGS.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at SGS. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager in Cheadle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of SGS. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Service Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at SGS
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of SGS. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
