Local Service Manager

Compass Associates; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Platinum Employer Award status

Budget for internal/external training

Job summary

Compass Associates is partnering with a leading charity to open a brand-new acute mental health supported living service in Shrewsbury. We are seeking a Local Service Manager to lead from the ground up, recruit a staff team, shape day-to-day operations and instil our culture and standards from day one.

You will be supported by an experienced Area Service Manager with structured shadowing and training in the early months, building a 24-hour staffing model across 10 flats to deliver person-centred

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months in a management role within health or social care.
• Minimum 12 months' experience working within mental health services.
• Strong understanding of acute mental health conditions and recovery-focused approaches.
• Practical housing management experience: rent, arrears, budgets, and Universal Credit.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills, with the confidence to build a team and a culture from scratch.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong, values-led leadership in building and developing a new service team from the ground up.
• Lead on the recruitment, induction, training and performance management of all staff, including senior support workers and night staff.
• Oversee tenant vetting and the safe onboarding of all new residents.
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective and person-centred support, including oversight of support planning and risk management.
• Maintain compliance with relevant legislation, safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
• Build and manage strong working relationships with the local authority, healthcare professionals, families and other external partners.

Education

RMN / Social Worker / Occupational Therapist background

Job description

Contact: Full-Time, Permanent 37.5 hours per week

This position does not offer sponsorship. We are unable to accept applications from individuals who require a visa to work in the UK.

The Opportunity

We are partnering with one of the country’s leading charities supporting adults who is opening a brand-new acute mental health supported living service, in Shrewsbury, and is looking for a Local Service Manager to lead it from the ground up.

This is a genuinely rare opportunity to build a service and a team from scratch. You will recruit your own staff team, shape how the service operates day to day, and put your own stamp on the culture and standards from day one. You will be fully supported throughout by an experienced Area Service Manager alongside structured shadowing and training in the early months.

About the Service

• Supported living service for adults with acute mental health needs, including conditions such as schizophrenia and personality disorders
• 10 self-contained flats, each with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living space, plus communal areas and an on-site office
• 24-hour staffing model with waking night staff a team of approximately 12-15 staff including bank workers
• Non-CQC regulated service
• Located close to other services across Shrewsbury and Telford, providing a strong local support network

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strong, values-led leadership in building and developing a new service team from the ground up
• Lead on the recruitment, induction, training and performance management of all staff, including senior support workers and night staff
• Oversee tenant vetting and the safe, well-paced onboarding of all new residents
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective and person-centred support, including oversight of support planning and risk management
• Maintain compliance with relevant legislation, safeguarding and regulatory requirements
• Build and manage strong working relationships with the local authority, healthcare professionals, families and other external partners

What We're Looking For

• Minimum 12 months' experience in a management role within health or social care
• Minimum 12 months' experience working within mental health services
• A strong, demonstrable understanding of acute mental health conditions and recovery-focused approaches
• Practical experience of housing management rent, arrears, budgets and Universal Credit
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills, with the confidence to build a team and a culture from scratch
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Background as a Mental Health Practitioner, such as an RMN, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist

Why Join

• A true blank-canvas opportunity build your own team and shape the service from day one
• Full support from an experienced Area Service Manager and a pay-protected manager during your first months
• Platinum Employer Award status, with a significantly increased budget this year for internal and external qualifications and training

Interview Process

A two-stage process: an initial Microsoft Teams interview focused on the role and your suitability, followed by a values-based second-stage interview in person, including a short presentation (approx. 15 minutes) on how you would approach fully staffing the service and onboarding tenants.

Recommendations

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £200 in John Lewis vouchers or £200 charity donation for each successful recommendation.