Service Manager - Supported Accomodation Service

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership development opportunities

Professional growth culture

Opportunities to influence future care

Flexible/Family-friendly practices

Employee rewards and benefits

Chance to make a genuine difference

Job summary

Durham County Council recruits a Service Manager to lead a new Supported Accommodation Service for County Durham’s young people. You will shape service delivery, uphold safeguarding standards and build high‑performing teams.

You will work with senior leaders to ensure quality care, regulatory compliance and positive outcomes, while preparing services for inspections and driving continuous improvement across partners.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead service development and strategic initiatives.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and risk management experience.
• Experience in driving continuous improvement and service development.
• Ability to build high‑performing teams and manage change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Supported Accommodation Service in County Durham.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to deliver outstanding outcomes for young people.
• Act as the Registered Service Manager and ensure Ofsted fitness requirements are met.
• Ensure adherence to Supported Accommodation Regulations and Quality Standards.
• Champion a culture of excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead audits, quality assurance activities and service reviews.
• Develop, coach and motivate staff to achieve high performance.
• Prepare services for inspection and build strong relationships with Ofsted and partners.
• Support development and mobilisation of future provisions for supported accommodation.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Quality assurance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

A Level 5 Management Qualification

Job description

Every young person deserves the chance to feel safe, valued and hopeful about their future. In County Durham, we are creating something special. We are developing a supported accommodation service that will empower young people to build independence, develop confidence and achieve their ambitions. We are looking for an exceptional leader to help make that vision a reality.

This is more than a management role. It is an opportunity to shape a new service from the ground up, influence the future of supported accommodation across County Durham and make a lasting difference to the lives of young people. If you are ambitious, passionate about quality, and driven by the belief that every young person can thrive with the right support, we would love to hear from you.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

As Service Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of our Supported Accommodation Service, ensuring young people receive outstanding care, support and opportunities as they move towards adulthood. Working closely with the Strategic Manager and senior leaders, you will help create a service recognised for excellence, innovation and positive outcomes. You will play a pivotal role in developing new provisions, building high-performing teams and creating environments where young people feel safe, listened to and supported to achieve their goals. This is a rare opportunity to leave your mark on a growing service while leading talented and committed professionals who share your passion for making a difference.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Lead and inspire a developing Supported Accommodation Service.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership that drives excellent outcomes for young people.
• Act as the Registered Service Manager and maintain fitness requirements in line with Ofsted expectations.
• Ensure services consistently meet and exceed Supported Accommodation Regulations and Quality Standards.
• Champion a culture of excellence, accountability, curiosity and continuous improvement.
• Lead audits, quality assurance activity, service reviews and improvement programmes that make a real difference.
• Develop, coach and motivate staff teams to be the very best they can be.
• Prepare services for inspection and build strong relationships with Ofsted and key partners.
• Support the development, registration and mobilisation of future supported accommodation provisions.
• Be a visible and approachable leader who inspires confidence in young people, staff and stakeholders alike.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• A Level 5 Management Qualification.
• Significant experience working within supported accommodation, residential care, social work, housing support or a related social care environment.
• The skills, knowledge and experience required to register as a Service Manager.
• Experience of driving quality assurance, service improvement and organisational development.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and risk management.
• Experience of leading teams through change and maintaining high standards of performance.
• A commitment to listening to young people and ensuring their voices shape the services they receive.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who sees potential in every young person and is determined to help them succeed.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING

Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children's Barred List and due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation.

OUR DURHAM VALUES

Everything we do is underpinned by our Durham values. Our service is built on the 'Durham' values - Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset which are at the heart of everything we do for both our young people and our teams. These aren't just words. They're the foundation of our culture and the way we work every day.

WHAT WE OFFER

In return, we offer more than a competitive salary. You'll join a forward-thinking organisation that is committed to developing services and investing in its people.

• Comprehensive leadership and management development opportunities.
• A strong culture of support and professional growth.
• Opportunities to influence and shape future services.
• Flexible and family-friendly employment practices.
• Access to a wide range of employee rewards and benefits.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of County Durham's young people.

INTERVIEWS

It is anticipated that interviews will take place on 10 September 2026. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

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