At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community-based domestic abuse services and support frontline teams.
- Company: Safenet, a leader in domestic abuse services across the North West.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work environment, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Women only role to ensure safe and effective support for survivors.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of survivors and lead impactful community services.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams within domestic abuse or related support environments.
The predicted salary is between 36500 - 36500 € per year.
Please note, this is an on-site role only. Due to the nature of our Refuges and Outreach services, it is essential that our teams are present and accessible, enabling us to provide safe, responsive and high-quality support to those who need us most.
About Safenet
Safenet delivers domestic abuse services across the North West, including refuges for women and children, safe houses for men, and community-based support. We provide trauma-informed, survivor-led services and work with partners to help people stay safe and rebuild their lives.
About the Role
As Service Manager – Community Services, you will lead the operational delivery of community-based domestic abuse services, including IDVA, triage and outreach support for adults, children and young people. Working closely with the Area Operational Lead and as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strong, values-led leadership to frontline teams, drive service performance, and ensure delivery is safe, responsive, trauma-informed and survivor-led. You will also play a key role in strengthening partnerships, supporting service development and ensuring services remain compliant, effective and sustainable.
Women only occupational requirement: This post is open to women only under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010. Due to the nature of the role and the needs of the survivors we support, Safenet considers being a woman to be a genuine occupational requirement for this position.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day operational delivery of community domestic abuse services, ensuring support is safe, timely, trauma-informed and survivor-led.
- Provide effective leadership, supervision, reflective practice and case management oversight to staff, supporting wellbeing, accountability and professional development.
- Oversee referrals, allocations and case progression to ensure survivors receive an appropriate, equitable and responsive service, with risk managed effectively.
- Monitor service quality, performance and outcomes through audits, data, survivor feedback and reporting, and use this insight to drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, legal, contractual and organisational requirements, maintaining accurate oversight of governance and risk.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with statutory, voluntary and community organisations to strengthen referral pathways and improve outcomes for survivors.
- Support service planning, workforce coordination and cover arrangements to ensure safe staffing and consistent service delivery across periods of leave and absence.
- Contribute to strategic development, identifying emerging needs, supporting service growth and helping to shape high-quality, inclusive responses for diverse communities.
What you’ll need
Essential:
- Experience of managing or leading teams within domestic abuse, social care, housing, community safety or a related support environment.
- Strong knowledge of domestic abuse, trauma-informed practice, safeguarding for adults and children, and risk management in complex cases.
- Ability to provide effective supervision, case oversight and reflective support that promotes staff wellbeing, professional curiosity and high-quality practice.
- Experience of performance monitoring, report writing and using data, feedback and outcomes information to support service improvement.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with statutory, voluntary and community partners and represent the organisation confidently in multi-agency settings.
- Excellent communication, organisational and IT skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records and reporting.
- Commitment to equality, inclusion and survivor-led practice, with the ability to model Safenet and Calico values in day-to-day leadership.
Desirable
- ILM, CMI or another relevant management qualification, or evidence of continued professional development in leadership.
- Experience of service development, project delivery, change management or supporting new initiatives within a support service setting.
- Knowledge of Women’s Aid National Quality Standards and relevant legislation and frameworks relating to domestic abuse and safeguarding.
- Understanding of budget monitoring, contract requirements or income maximisation within a commissioned or grant-funded service.
Salary: £36,500
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Bury
Closing date: 19th June 2026
Telephone screening: 25th June 2026
Interview date: 29th June 2026
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of adults, children and young people. Appointment will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to inclusive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice.
Service Manager Community Services employer: The Calico Group
At Safenet, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by domestic abuse. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth and development, ensuring that our team members are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality, trauma-informed services. Located in Bury, we offer a collaborative environment where employees can thrive while making a difference in their community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager Community Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the community services sector, especially those who work with domestic abuse support. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and partners – you never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your personal connection to the cause. Let them know why supporting survivors is important to you – it’ll make you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview like it’s a big presentation. Research Safenet’s values and recent projects, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Bring examples of your leadership and service delivery successes to the table – they’ll want to see how you can contribute!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager Community Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting survivors shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the community and how your values align with ours.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in domestic abuse or related fields. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led teams or improved services, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your skills and experiences. Remember, we’re busy too!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our mission there.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Calico Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of domestic abuse services and trauma-informed practices. Familiarise yourself with Safenet's mission and values, as well as the specific responsibilities of the Service Manager role. This will help you demonstrate your understanding and commitment during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing complex cases. Think about times when you've provided effective supervision or supported staff wellbeing. Be ready to discuss how you can model strong, values-led leadership in line with Safenet's approach.
✨Build Connections
Since building partnerships is key for this role, think about your previous experiences working with statutory, voluntary, and community organisations. Be prepared to share how you've successfully strengthened referral pathways and improved outcomes for survivors in your past roles.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the challenges the team currently faces or how they measure success in their services. Asking thoughtful questions shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
