Young Persons Service Manager - South East London

Morgan Hunt UK Limited; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Temporary Service Manager for Young Persons' Accommodation Services in England. This full-time position involves overseeing a team and ensuring high-quality service delivery for young people. The ideal candidate will have relevant management experience, an understanding of best practices, and the ability to coordinate various stakeholders effectively. Join an award-winning organization committed to supporting vulnerable groups.

Qualifications

• A strong understanding of best practices in supporting looked-after children and care leavers.
• Proven experience managing staff who support young people with complex needs.
• A track record of effective service and staff management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of four Young Persons Workers.
• Monitor and manage missing persons reports.
• Ensure high property standards are maintained.

Job description

Job Opportunity: Temporary Service Manager - Young Persons' Accommodation Services

We are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced professional for a temporary full-time position (37.5 hours per week), working Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The role will provide cover for approximately 2-3 months.

Pay Rate

• £20.17 per hour
• £2.43 holiday pay
• Total hourly rate: £22.60

Key Responsibilities

• Work in close collaboration with three Managers and a Regional Manager, overseeing five properties that provide varying levels of support (high, medium, low), all comprising self-contained flats.
• Lead and support a team of four Young Persons Workers and Night Workers, providing day-to-day guidance, supervision, and leadership to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Ensure every young person has an individualised support package, with up-to-date, co-produced support and safety plans, and both formal and informal key working sessions.
• Monitor and manage missing persons reports, coordinate responses with statutory services, and implement engagement strategies for non-engaging clients.
• Oversee referrals, ensuring they meet eligibility criteria and service specifications. Conduct interviews and assessments in line with policy and procedures.
• Promote early planning for move-on, and lead on delivering a comprehensive life skills programme available to all residents.
• Work alongside the Regional Services Manager to implement flexible and innovative approaches to support young people\'s progression.
• Support staff development using a psychologically informed approach within the established service delivery model.
• Contribute to both internal and statutory reporting and monitoring requirements, meeting all deadlines set by the Regional Services Manager.
• Ensure high property standards are maintained and that all housing management systems are efficient, cost-effective, and contribute to minimising voids while maximising rental income.
• Ensure timely review and updating of property risk assessments.
• Uphold and embed a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring all staff follow policies and procedures to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Essential Requirements

• A sound understanding of best practices in supporting looked-after children and care leavers (aged 16-17), along with knowledge of local authority statutory responsibilities.
• Proven experience managing staff who support young people with complex needs, including those at risk, looked-after, or involved in offending or gang-related activities.
• A track record of effective service and staff management, including performance oversight and the ability to inspire and lead a team.
• Experience managing accommodation-based services under different tenure types (e.g., licenses, ASTs) and a good understanding of housing management and health and safety regulations.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills, with the ability to contribute to budgeting, monitor financial performance, write detailed reports, and analyse information.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and ensure tasks are completed on time and to the required standard.
• Excellent networking skills and the ability to foster productive relationships with both internal colleagues and external partners to enhance service delivery.

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to temporary vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer; job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with their skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.