Deputy Service Manager [6 month FTC]

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a committed and driven Deputy Service Manager on a 6 month fixed term contract to join our team in Croydon. This role is based in a 27-bed residential property that specialises in forensic mental health, complex needs, and dual diagnosis. The service provides psychologically-informed housing and resettlement support, tailored to the specific needs of our residents. Our forensic mental health step-down services are spread across four sites, offering both high and medium levels of support for men and women.

As the Deputy Service Manager, you will play a crucial role in leading the service in a trauma-informed and inclusive manner. You’ll work closely with the Service Manager to ensure that we deliver high-quality care while maintaining full contract and regulatory compliance. Your leadership will help guide the team towards achieving key performance indicators and meeting the needs of the service. You will also act as a role model, fostering a supportive environment where both staff and residents can flourish. 

Shift/Working pattern: 6 month Fixed term position, 37.5 hours a week in service Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm, 10am to 6pm - 2pm to 8pm, you may also be required to work outside these hours as per the service requirements and needs. You will also take part in our on call service. 

Please note that this is a service based position.

ABOUT YOU

We are an organisation which embraces differences and encourage our staff to bring their professional but authentic selves to work! We're looking for someone who is driven to provide high quality, effective, and person centred support to staff, colleagues, residents and participants, someone who thrives working in a team but can also work independently using their own initiative! You need to be confident in leading a motivating a team, being able to be proactive and adaptable and maintain a high morale within the service. We look for compassionate, supportive and empowering leaders who are comfortable working in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment! If this sounds like you, take a look at our full JDPS and apply now!

What we are looking for:

• Understanding and/or experience of working with people of complex backgrounds, ex-offenders, mental health, substance misuse, challenging behaviours
• Experience of working with and engaging with diverse groups of people from varying backgrounds
• IT Proficiency, including Microsoft Office, and the ability to navigate and learn new case management systems and other types of organisational software.
• Ability to promote the service and provide outreach-based provision, with an ability to liaise and work effectively in partnership with stakeholders
• Understanding of Housing Management, including voids and evictions

What we would like, but not essential:

• Previous experience in people management and development
• Understanding, knowledge, and/or practical application of key legislation – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Social Care, and Housing, and Health, Safety and Environment

Benefits, including Non-Contractual Perks

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Medicash includes discount gym memberships, routine optometry care, dental treatments, and physiotherapy treatments
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing.
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• Be part of a person-centred organisation! 

We are an inclusive employer, committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We have a team of ambassadors who are staff volunteers and actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. As an organisation, we’re proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles.

OVERVIEW OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Line Management and Leadership

• Provide high quality support, leadership and line management to staff, offer guidance, support, and advice to the team and support them to perform to the best of their abilities.
• Provide leadership and management throughout the full employee lifecycle.
• Hold regular one to ones and team meetings to support effective teamwork and communication. Facilitate a culture where constructive challenge is welcomed.
• Proactively embed a culture of learning, development, reflection, and evaluation in a psychologically informed environment.

Service Delivery

• Support the Service Manager with the overall day-to-day operational delivery of your service, working directly with your team, colleagues, residents and participants, as well as other stakeholders to provide a high-quality, holistic service which meets the needs of our residents.
• Support the Service Manager to ensure service responsibilities and requirements are carried out effectively. This includes but is not limited to; welfare checks, risk assessments, support sessions, safeguarding checks, training and development, and other responsibilities required for effective service delivery.
• Support team to carry out their day to day duties and responsibilities, offer guidance and support as necessary. 
• Work proactively alongside the Service Manager to ensure the service and team meet and exceed Key Performance Indicators, and work in line with professional codes of conduct.
• Empower residents and participants to make decisions to take control over their lives, by creating an enabling environment.
• Be part of the operational on-call Rota for providing out-of-hours support across the operations directorate.

Risk Management

• Follow relevant risk assessment and management procedures, share relevant information with others as necessary.
• Ensure all case recording and information is accurately recorded in a timely manner, ensuring confidentiality and GDPR.
• Alongside the Service Manager, champion, and act as a point of reference for safeguarding concerns within the service(s). Ensure all staff attend relevant safeguarding and training and use knowledge to coach and advise the team.

Property and Housing Management

• Ensure the accommodation in which residents live is clean and maintained to a high standard
• Ensure all repairs and maintenance issues are correctly reported and managed through to completion.
• Ensure a provision of high quality housing management service is provided to residents. 

Financial Management

• Support the Service Manager in managing the service budget and review monthly management accounts: Set budgets and ensure resources are maximised.
• Promote effective cost control mechanisms and other financial activities.
• Maintain financial management within the service.

Other

• Some of what else is included: Contract management and Internal auditing, admin, and general other duties as required. 

Other responsibilities than those described above may be required to be undertaken from time to time and will be expected to be performed to as long as it is within the capability and level of the position. Please refer to the JDPS attached for more information.

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

For Recruitment related enquiries, or if you need support with making your application for example due to learning needs or a disability, please email recruitment@socialinterestgroup.org.uk or call us on 020 3668 9270