Deputy Supported Housing Manager (Permanent) in Eastbourne

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm with the requirement of working one late shift per week, one shift at the weekend per month and be part of an out of hours ‘on-call rota’.

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice. We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Are you a person‑centred leader who thrives on empowering others and driving positive outcomes for young people? You will bring a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach to both your team and the young people we support, ensuring everyone feels understood, safe, and empowered. If you are energised by leading teams, shaping services, and supporting staff to deliver exceptional, person-centred support - even in challenging moments - this could be the role for you.

As Deputy Supported Housing Manager, you will play a central role in our Eastbourne and Hailsham services - supported accommodation for young people aged 16–25 who are at risk of homelessness. Our services operate 24/7 to provide a safe, stable home where young people can feel understood, encouraged and supported. You will be based at our Eastbourne Foyer, located in the heart of Eastbourne, where the service maintains strong connections with and contributes actively to the local community. The role also involves travel across Eastbourne and Hailsham to our other East Sussex sites.

Across our East Sussex sites, we work with around 50 young people, each with their own story, strengths, challenges and ambitions. Support Workers hold individual caseloads and meet regularly with residents to build support plans, celebrate progress, and set meaningful goals for the future. Your leadership will help create the environment where this work thrives - one where young people feel empowered and staff feel confident and supported.

As Deputy Supported Housing Manager, you will play a key role in the running, quality, and impact of our services. Working closely with the Supported Housing Manager, you will help lead a safe, supportive, and high‑performing environment where young people can thrive.

You will support the Supported Housing Manager with the day‑to‑day delivery of the service, ensuring we meet all requirements set out in the service specification and remain fully compliant with Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted standards. Maintaining the quality, safety, and presentation of the accommodation by working closely with our Housing and Property Services team to coordinate estate inspections, health and safety risk assessments, repairs, and the timely turnaround of void rooms.

Supporting effective income collection across the service, working with the Rents team to build and maintain a positive rent‑payment culture among residents.

Provide coaching, guidance, and clear expectations to ensure staff feel confident, supported, and motivated in their work with young people. Create a team culture rooted in creativity, consistency, and best practice, ensuring staff are equipped to empower young people to reach their goals while maintaining appropriate and safe boundaries. Be responsible for creating and maintaining staff rotas to ensure adequate service coverage at all times. Participate in the management on‑call rota, offering out‑of‑hours support to services across the wider locality. Embed Psychologically Informed Environments (PIEs), Trauma‑Informed approaches, and restorative practices throughout your work, ensuring our support model is compassionate, reflective, and person‑centred.

You have experience line managing staff and building positive, supportive team cultures. You enjoy motivating others, supporting staff development, and planning effective rotas to ensure high‑quality service delivery. You will bring experience working in supported housing or similar services, supporting young people and/or adults at risk, along with proven experience in managing or supervising a team. You will already have a solid understanding of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted frameworks, as well as a strong working knowledge of Trauma‑Informed Care and Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE). Just as importantly, you will understand the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, modelling best practice for the team and the young people we support.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 31 May 2026 at midnight. We are not able to support a work permit or offer a visa sponsorship for this role.

An inclusive workplace: We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider.