Job Description

Manager - Supported Accommodation (16-18-Year-Olds)

Location: Gloucester and CheltenhamReports to: Service Manager (Registered Service Manager) and Operations Director (Nominated Individual)Salary: 34,000 - 41,800 per annum (dependent on experience)Hours: Full-time, 40 hrs per week (plua participation in on-call rota)

Role Overview

As a Manager in our therapeutic supported accommodation service, you will lead the day-to-day operations of the houses assigned to you. You will be responsible for managing and developing staff, maintaining high-quality care and support, ensuring safeguarding is prioritised, and embedding the organisation's systemic and trauma-informed ethos. You will also oversee expenditure, property standards, and inter-agency partnerships to ensure that placements meet the needs of young people and the expectations of local authority commissioners and Ofsted standards.

This role is pivotal in supporting young people (aged 16-18) as they transition to independence. You will work closely with therapists, attend group reflective supervision, and ensure the team delivers thoughtful, creative, and emotionally attuned support to young people with experiences of trauma, instability and presenting with complex needs.

About Forest Youth Services

Forest Youth Services is a family-run provider offering Ofsted-registered supported accommodation for young people aged 16-18, with a therapeutic ethos rooted in Systemic Family Therapy. We invest heavily in staff development through training in systemic practice, mandatory fortnightly group reflective supervision with qualified Systemic Psychotherapists for each house, and a culture of learning and collaboration.

Our model encourages staff and managers alike to engage in systemic reading, reflection, and continuous service improvement. We believe in building safe, stable, and supportive environments that empower young people to thrive and achieve their goals.

Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Service Delivery

Manage the day-to-day operations of the assigned supported accommodation houses, ensuring safe and effective delivery of support. Supervise, coach, and develop staff teams, promoting reflective practice and creative approaches to meeting young people's needs. Act as the lead safeguarding officer for the houses, ensuring adherence to child protection procedures and effective multi-agency working. Embed trauma-informed and systemic approaches within daily practice.

Young People's Support

Ensure support is aligned to individual Pathway Plans and goals, including education, training, employment, life skills, and emotional wellbeing. Encourage and role-model positive routines, healthy living, and pro-social behaviour. Promote participation in community, leisure, and social activities that build independence and resilience. Support young people with budgeting, meal planning, shopping, and maintaining a safe and welcoming home environment.

Compliance & Quality

Ensure services meet Ofsted requirements and local authority commissioning standards. Lead audits, reviews, and action plans to continuously improve service quality. Maintain accurate records, incident reports, and risk assessments in line with GDPR and organisational policies. Work in partnership with therapists, social workers, IROs, and other agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

Finance & Resources

Manage house budgets, authorise expenditures, and ensure resources are allocated effectively. Oversee property maintenance and ensure houses remain safe, homely, and well-presented.

On-Call Responsibilities

This role includes participation in the service's out-of-hours on-call rota, providing telephone-based support to staff on duty and, where necessary, attending properties in person to respond to urgent issues or cover staff sickness and no-shows. On-call duties are shared equally across the Senior Management, Management and Lead Senior team and are currently expected to fall at a frequency of approximately one night in twelve. This element of the role is reflected in the overall salary. Where an on-call staff member or manager is required to attend in person during an on-call shift, any hours worked will qualify for either overtime pay or time off in lieu, subject to agreement with the Operations Director.

Person SpecificationEssential:

Experience in managing or coordinating supported accommodation, semi-independent living, or residential services for children/young people, or other relevant transferable experience. Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and multi-agency working. Knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g., Children Act 1989, Care Leavers Regulations, Working Together to Safeguard Children) and Ofsted requirements, or other relevant transferable experience. Experience leading and supervising staff teams. Ability to handle crises calmly and effectively. Excellent communication, record-keeping, and organisational skills. Enhanced DBS (Children's Workforce) and the right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care and Children and Young People's Services (or willingness to undertake). Successful candidates will receive Level 5 Diploma training if they don't already possess this qualification. Experience in trauma-informed or systemic practice. Previous safeguarding lead (DSL) or deputy experience. Experience liaising with commissioners and Ofsted inspectors.

Values & Culture

Child-centred - Always prioritising the needs, safety, and voice of young people. Reflective - Using supervision and feedback to improve practice. Collaborative - Working closely with colleagues, families, and professionals. Resilient - Managing complexity with professionalism and empathy. Creative - Finding innovative solutions that empower young people.

Safeguarding Commitment

Forest Youth Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We adhere to safer recruitment practices, including enhanced DBS checks and rigorous reference vetting. Safeguarding remains a priority across all areas of our work, from recruitment to practice and partnership working.

Job Type: Permanent

Pay: 34,000.00-41,800.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Private medical insurance
Physical Setting:

Residential home
Shift:

Day shift Night shift
Work days:

Monday to Friday
Application question(s):

Do you have a relevant therapeutic qualification or experience?
Experience:

residential or supported living placements: 5 years (preferred) management: 3 years (preferred) Registered Social Worker: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Current DBS Updates Service subscription (not essential!) (preferred)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 01/11/2023