At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver impactful gambling prevention services in the West Midlands.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and strengthen your community.
- Qualifications: Management experience in health or social care, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 35520 - 41164 £ per year.
Location: West Midlands
Working Hours: 37 hours (full-time)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £35,520 - £41,164
Lead a service that changes lives. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live free from the harm caused by gambling, alcohol and drugs. As part of our ambitious Gambling Prevention Team, we're looking for an experienced and inspiring Service Manager to lead the delivery and development of our gambling support services across the West Midlands.
About the Role
As Service Manager, you will lead the delivery of our Gambling Prevention Service, ensuring people experiencing gambling-related harm receive high-quality, person-centred support. You'll provide operational leadership to a dedicated team, oversee service performance and quality, and work collaboratively with commissioners and partner organisations to develop innovative services that meet local need. This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership with meaningful frontline impact, helping to shape services that improve lives and strengthen communities.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the day-to-day operational management of the Gambling Prevention Team, ensuring high-quality, person-centred services that meet performance and contractual targets.
- Inspire, support and develop a multidisciplinary team through effective leadership, supervision, performance management and professional development.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with commissioners, local authorities, health services and community organisations to improve outcomes for people experiencing gambling-related harm.
- Monitor service performance, quality, compliance and budgets, using data to drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities for service development.
- Promote Aquarius and the Gambling Prevention Service across the region, ensuring services remain responsive, innovative and accessible.
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:
- Proven management experience within health, social care, addictions or a related field.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with excellent people management skills.
- A strong understanding of gambling-related harm, addiction, mental health and safeguarding.
- Excellent communication, partnership-building and organisational skills, with the ability to manage performance and service quality.
- A flexible, proactive approach, with good IT skills and the ability to travel across the service area as required.
You'll be an experienced and compassionate leader with a passion for improving the lives of people affected by gambling-related harm.
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.
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: 2026-08-11
Service Manager (West Midlands) employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to impactful change, we offer a supportive work culture, generous annual leave, and various well-being initiatives, making it a fulfilling place to work for those passionate about guiding individuals towards recovery. Join us in a role where your contributions truly matter, and be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager (West Midlands)
✨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 Waythrough.
✨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 Waythrough!
✨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 Waythrough, 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 Waythrough 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 (West Midlands)
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 Waythrough:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Waythrough! 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 Waythrough
✨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.
