Service Manager (Advocacy)

Onside Advocacy; Hereford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Company sick pay

Maternity & paternity pay

Employee assistance programme

Calm app access

Employee engagement forum

Supportive working environment

Professional development

Job summary

Onside Advocacy in Hereford seeks an experienced Service Manager to lead our statutory advocacy services in Herefordshire and manage out-of-county provision. This is a health and social care leadership role with a focus on safeguarding and person‑centred delivery.

You will supervise a team of advocates and volunteers, ensuring compliant practice, strong stakeholder engagement and continuous service improvement to meet local need.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in team management and service delivery in health and social care, charity or advocacy.
• Experience supporting vulnerable adults with safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of statutory advocacy such as IMCA or Care Act is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of advocates and volunteers delivering high‑quality advocacy services that are safe, ethical and compliant.
• Oversee referrals, case management, service delivery and performance monitoring.
• Drive quality assurance, evaluation and continuous improvement, with Head of Services on development and growth.

Skills

Team management

Service delivery

Advocacy services

Safeguarding

Stakeholder management

Quality assurance

Job description

Part Time Hours: 34 hours per week

Location: Hereford, Herefordshire

Contract Type: Permanent

This is a rolling advert.

Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the advert will close upon successful appointment.

Make a Real Difference as a Service Manager!

Are you an experienced Services Manager in health and social care looking to make a meaningful impact? Or an Advocate looking to progress to the next level?

If you have an understanding of advocacy services, whether through lived experience or professional experience within health and social care and are passionate about supporting vulnerable adults, we’d love to hear from you!

About the role

ONSIDE is seeking an experienced, person-centred and values-led Service Manager to lead our statutory advocacy services in Herefordshire, alongside managing out-of-county advocacy provision.

You will play a vital role in ensuring vulnerable and disadvantaged people have their voices heard and rights upheld. Providing operational leadership supporting a team of advocates and volunteers delivering high‑quality advocacy service that are safe, ethical and compliant. Supporting, coaching and line managing the team to achieve outstanding outcomes.

Your role will be ensuring adherence to statutory frameworks, safeguarding standards and legislation, while overseeing referrals, case management, service delivery and performance monitoring. Leading on quality assurance, evaluation and continuous improvement.

As the Service Manager, you will work closely with the Head of Services to drive service development, innovation and growth ensuring our work remains person‑centred, accessible and responsive to local need.

This is a fantastic career opportunity to make a real and lasting impact on people’s lives.

Learn More About Our Work

• Company Sick Pay Scheme (after qualifying service)
• Additional Maternity & Paternity Pay (after qualifying service)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to premium Calm App
• Employee Engagement Forum to ensure our employee’s voices are heard!
• Supportive working environment & good work/life balance culture
• Support with continuous professional development

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for a Service Manager with proven experience in team management and service delivery within a multi‑disciplinary environment with a background in health and social care, charity sector, or advocacy services.

You will also require experience in supporting vulnerable or disadvantaged adults with a strong understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

As a Service Manager you will need excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to include staff, peers, partnerships and other key stakeholders.

It is desirable to have knowledge of statutory advocacy such as IMCA, Care Act etc. and an understanding of legal and ethical frameworks within advocacy.

This is an excellent opportunity for an Advocate looking to progress their career or a health and social care manager to take a step into advocacy and make a lasting impact in their community.

Someone like you?

If you embrace difference and operate with integrity.

If you are committed to fairness and justice.

If you’re looking for a job that you can be proud of and be passionate about.

These values run through our entire organisation. ONSIDE is a creative, collaborative community where people feel free to share new ideas or ask for support. If something’s not right, we don’t just change it. We change ourselves too.

Our amazing team of skilled staff and volunteers make a difference to the lives of over 15,000 people a year!

ONSIDE reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before the closing date.

This is a rolling recruitment campaign. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews arranged throughout the advertising period.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a suitable candidate has been appointed, so early applications are encouraged.

Applicants who have previously applied for this role within the last 6 months do not need to reapply, as their application remains on record and has already been reviewed.