Service Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Service Manager to play a vital role at our Phase One service.

Position: Service Manager (Internal Title: Operational Manager)
Location: Brighton
Salary: £35,833 Plus Management On-Call
Hours: 37 hours per week. (Hours of work Monday to Friday and to include management presence on site some weekends, to be agreed with the Senior Manager)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Friday 27^th June 2025 at 23:59
Interview Date: Thursday 10 July 2025

About:

The role of Service Manager for our Phase One Project has overall responsibility for the effective running of the service, including staff support and management, health and safety, support work, project monitoring and reporting, and housing management.

About Phase One

Phase One is a 52-bed high support hostel for single homeless people with high support needs. The project works with clients who are largely vulnerable, and pre-contemplative about change. The service works with clients to increase self-esteem and create a space where clients can begin to address the issues at the root of their homelessness.

The service aims to support clients to lead more settled lives and realise aspirations by delivering a client-centred model of support that is psychologically and trauma informed. A team of experienced and highly skilled support staff work with clients who may be using alcohol and substances or have mental health difficulties and encourage them to take small, considered steps towards their recovery.

The project has an internal accommodation pathway, with nine self-catering bed spaces in the structured Recovery-Focused Flats attached to the project. Clients from the main hostel move into these if they want to focus more intensely on their substance use recovery. This includes developing their life skills, attending weekly check ins and a bespoke Life Skills programme and other recovery focused activities delivered by the service Activity and Move-On coordinator, Phase One staff and external partners that support a client’s journey.

Key Responsibilities:

• To be responsible for the operational management of Phase One, with the support of the Senior Manager of Support Services, providing leadership that maximises the skills and potential of staff and clients.
• To lead on an empowering and client centred approach, using psychologically informed frameworks and reflective practice models.
• To be responsible for the Health & Safety and Fire Safety in the project. Monitoring compliance and reporting in line with all BHT Sussex policies and procedures.
• To ensure all risk assessments and local procedures are in place, closely monitored, and regularly reviewed – for staff, clients, and the building.
• To work closely with the BHT Sussex Head of Health and Safety.
• To be responsible for Safeguarding for the service and reporting in line with BHT Sussex policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for referrals into the project from the Supported Accommodation Panel and working with referral partners to facilitate appropriate referrals.
• To support the wellbeing of staff including arranging, attending and facilitating regular weekly team meetings, regular reflective practice sessions and de-brief sessions as needed.

Person Specification:

To be successful in the role of Service Manager you will need to have great communication skills and be committed to the values of BHT Sussex. Some of the key skills and experience you will need to bring with you include:

• Experience of managing support services for vulnerable people with high and/or complex support needs.
• Experience in overseeing and meeting health and safety requirements to ensure compliance.
• Experience of reporting to demonstrate contract performance, organisational requirements, and health and safety compliance.
• Experience of establishing, developing and maintaining effective working relationships with voluntary and statutory partners.
• Knowledge and understanding of risk management (people and environments) and Health and Safety, and the ability to implement relevant policy and procedure.
• Ability to lead on and assess referrals for supported accommodation, with consideration to individual needs, risks, and resources.
• Ability to support trauma informed approaches that inform all aspects of service delivery – client work, staff support and development, and policies and procedures.
• Experience of working with people who exhibit behaviour that can be challenging such as those with substance misuse issues, mental health difficulties, and personality disorders.

In return:

In recognition of our commitment to staff, BHT Sussex has been awarded Gold Accreditation from Investors in People. We are also signed up to the Disability Confident employer scheme and have made the Mental Health at Work commitment.

You will also receive a fantastic benefits package including:

• 5.5% stakeholder pension scheme and life assurance scheme
• Medical cash plan with Medicash
• Access to BHT Learning & Development platform
• Free and confidential employee assistance helpline for both personal and work-related concerns
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Free new starter 28-day Network Saver Brighton bus pass
• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days per annum pro rata, rising 1 day for each year of service to a maximum of 32 days pro rata
• The opportunity to participate in well-being and fundraising activities throughout the year

BHT Sussex is an equal opportunities employer using a fair and open recruitment process that fully complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to encouraging equality, equity, inclusion, and diversity within the workplace. As an employer we are committed to promoting and supporting our people’s social, physical and psychological health at work. Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or reasonable adjustments if called for interview. BHT Sussex welcomes applications from individuals with lived experience.

BHT Sussex reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applicants for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

An Enhanced with Adults DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service) is required on all successful applicants as a condition of employment for this post.