System Change – Accommodation Pathways Lead

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A community mental health organization is seeking a dedicated professional to join their Specialist Community Forensic Team. This role involves supporting clients transitioning from secure settings to community living and managing housing strategies. Candidates should have experience in community-based services, risk management, and staff supervision. A commitment to teamwork and effective communication is essential, along with the ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in a community-based service.
• Effective risk management of community-based services.
• Demonstrable knowledge of systems change.
• Experience in line managing and supervising staff.
• Building positive professional relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support and manage the Housing Navigator effectively.
• Ensure teamwork, communication, and information sharing.
• Recruit, retain, and manage direct reports for service objectives.
• Cover Team Manager responsibilities when necessary.
• Participate in the Duty Manager On-call Rota as required.

Skills

Community work experience

Risk management

Systems change knowledge

Staff management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

We are excited to announce a unique opportunity to join our Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT). SCFT is a multi-disciplinary team that focuses on supporting people in secure mental health hospitals as they transition to community living. Accommodation within the community is central to our work and plays a key role in the long-term resettlement and success of our clients.

Main duties of the job

In this role, you will spot gaps in provision, support, challenge and navigate system complexity, coordinate accommodation plans, liaise with housing providers, and work closely with clinical staff to ensure smooth transitions for clients from secure settings to community living. You will also contribute to shaping our housing strategy, monitor the effectiveness of accommodation pathways, and provide guidance to team members on best practice for complex cases. Your work will be supported day-to-day by a dedicated Housing Navigator, ensuring clients receive the appropriate support at every stage.

About us

Second Step is a leading mental health charity in the South West offering housing, support and hope to thousands of people with mental health and other support needs. Our goal is to inspire hope and deliver change for everybody and every community we work with.

Job responsibilities

Support, lead and manage part of the SCFT ensuring the Housing Navigator is supported in their role. Ensure effective teamwork, communication, and the sharing of information whilst setting a culture of hope and courage.Recruit, retain and manage direct reports to ensure service objectives and standards are met and that appropriate guidance, supervision and support is given to enable direct reports to carry out their roles effectively.Ensure development plans including training needs for direct reports are produced that support the people development objectives of the organisation.Be able to cover Team Managers responsibilities in their absence.Be part of the Duty Manager On-call Rota out of hours and weekends across Second Step as required.

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven experience working in a community-based service (e.g. supported housing service, community mental health team, day centre, education)
• Proven experience of effective risk management of community based services and working within standard operating procedures
• Demonstrable knowledge of systems change and ability to embed a systems thinking approach.
• Experience of line managing staff, coaching and supervising
• Experience of meeting stakeholders, commissioners and local authorities and building positive professional relationships.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.