Deputy Supported Housing Manager in Hailsham

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\’.

Applications close: 7 December 2025

About YMCA DownsLink Group

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values – we do what\’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Role Overview

We are searching for a motivational and resilient leader who thrives on developing others, championing best practice, and nurturing a collaborative and compassionate culture. 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.

Responsibilities

• Service Provision: Supporting the Supported Housing Manager with the daily operations of the services so that they meet the requirements of the service specification including compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted regulations. Oversee the residents\’ referral, interview and induction processes for all beds and ensure the Occupancy Agreements and House Rules are fully understood. Ensure the quality of accommodation that is provided, liaising with the Housing and Property Services team to complete estate inspections and health and safety risk assessments, and to turn around voids and organise repairs in line with organisational targets and statutory obligations. With the Supported Housing Manager ensure effective income collection for all beds, working closely with the Rents team to create a rent payment culture.
• Leadership and People Management: Directly line manage team members, ensuring their service delivery, working culture and personal development mirror best practice. Ensuring the team is adequately trained and empowered to work effectively and creatively with our young people to enable them to achieve their aspirations and ambitions, whilst ensuring they are supported within safe and consistent boundaries.
• General: Be a member of the out of hours \’on call\’ rota to provide out of hours management support to projects in the wider locality. Reflect Psychologically Informed Environments (PIEs), Trauma Informed approaches and restorative practices.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in supported housing or similar services for young people and/or adults at risk, alongside experience in managing or supervising a team.
• Strong understanding of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted frameworks.
• Solid grounding in Trauma‑Informed Care and Psychologically Informed Environments.
• Effective communication with confident facilitation skills, able to navigate challenging situations with calmness and clarity.
• Experience of overseeing safeguarding procedures within residential settings, and a clear understanding of how to maintain professional boundaries while building trusting, supportive relationships.