Service Manager – Young Lives

OU is a registered charity that has been providing care, support and advice for over 30 years to vulnerable people, working across Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight to give them the tools and resources they need to live independent, secure and valued lives.

The appointed Service Manager will have:

- Experience in Managing Young People's Services: Proven experience in managing services for young people, ideally within supported accommodation or residential care settings.
- Knowledge of Ofsted Registration and Compliance: Strong understanding and hands-on experience with the Ofsted registration process and ongoing compliance with regulatory standards.
- Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering a high-quality supported environment.
- Familiarity with Relevant Legislation: Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Young People’s Supported Accommodation and Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards.
- Relevant Qualifications: Possession of qualifications in Social Work, Youth Work, Health & Social Care, or a related field

This role involves managing day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance with Ofsted standards, and leading a committed team to deliver exceptional care.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements and possess experience with Ofsted registration.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership and management skills to oversee the supported accommodation services in Weymouth and Dorchester.

You will lead a dedicated team, ensuring high-quality service for young people and developing individualised support plans.

With experience in Ofsted registration and compliance, you will guide the registration process, maintain regulatory standards, and prepare for inspections.

Your focus will be on driving continuous improvement, aligning practices with industry standards, and fostering a growth-oriented environment. You will monitor service delivery through audits and feedback while collaborating with external stakeholders to meet each young person's needs.

Key responsibilities:

You will manage the daily operations of the Weymouth and Dorchester supported accommodation services, leading a team to provide high-quality support and develop personalised support.

Your responsibilities include handling the Ofsted registration process, ensuring ongoing compliance with regulatory standards, and preparing for inspections. You will also drive continuous improvement through audits, quality assessments, and feedback, collaborating with external stakeholders to enhance care.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing young people's services, preferably in supported accommodation or residential care, along with a solid understanding of Ofsted registration and inspection processes. You should be knowledgeable about relevant legislation, such as the Young People’s Supported Accommodation, Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards, and possess strong leadership skills. Relevant qualifications in Social Work, Youth Work, Health & Social Care, or a related field are essential.

YOU has a strong value base, striving to be person-centred, innovative, trustworthy, can-do and excellent at all times, so it is important that you are as passionate about these principles as we are.

If you choose to begin a career with our organisation, you are guaranteed:

Competitive rates of pay and paid travel time, including a higher mileage rate for car sharing
Enhanced annual leave entitlements, with the opportunity to buy and sell holiday
Matched pension scheme contributions, plus Death in Service Benefit and salary sacrifice options
Enhanced sick pay allowances and paid compassionate and emergency dependent leave
Excellent and professionally certified training, as well as access to fully-funded apprenticeship programmes
Real opportunities to develop in your profession
Free health and wellbeing advice via a 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme
Everything you need to carry out your role free of charge, which may include a mobile phone, safety equipment and other necessary technology, a uniform where applicable, and of course a nice cup of tea or coffee throughout your day
Access to discounts across lots of your favourite stores and online shopping sites, as well as discounted bus travel on the First bus network
A company that is committed to its employees, valuing their knowledge, creativity and flexibility
The chance to work with amazing people