Service Manager

What’s the day-to-day job like? 

You’ll make sure that the service runs smoothly, and your team is focused on helping each individual in our service get the best out of their life. The service could be a registered care home, a supported living service or a day service.

We’ll be looking to you to keep up and check service standards, deploy our staff effectively, maintain accurate records and support plans, manage the budget and ensure that the finances are managed within our procedures.

Other key duties are to make sure our service operates within the law so that the people in our care are kept safe.

Staff in the service will be recruited by you: you’ll develop and guide team members (supervisions, appraisals, identifying training opportunities) and, if necessary, resolve any personnel issues.

You’ll conduct assessments for new people to use our service and help them move over to United Response.

In short, you’ll be the lynchpin for your service, and link with local communities and our internal departments to access every opportunity available.

The role requires flexibility as there is travel between locations, different work patterns (evenings, weekends, sleep-ins and nights) and being on-call at times.

What qualifications or experience does a Service Manager need?

You’ll need solid experience in leading and motivating teams in a social care environment.

This needs to be coupled with a NVQ Level 4 in Social Care Management or similar qualification.

We also need you to have a thorough understanding of the regulatory framework and be well versed in managing budgets and financial processes. You’ll be comfortable with IT systems and digital care management.

If you are a good communicator (written and verbal) and can establish effective relationships with people inside and outside our charity, this role could be a great fit for you.

What training opportunities are available in the role?

You’ll be paid to take all our mandatory training to get you up to speed when you arrive. After that, there are continual opportunities via our practice development and health & safety teams to update your knowledge, and introduce you to the latest thinking in social care.

Some service managers are eligible for our aspiring managers programme, designed to boost your career into higher management positions.

What might I move on to do next?

Your next step may be to become a Senior Service Manager with more responsibilities, or an Area Manager in charge of all the services within one of our city or county areas.

Alternatively, you might decide to apply your knowledge and experience to one of our central support roles e.g. programme management, IT, etc.

Where in the country are you recruiting for service managers?

United Response runs around 300 services in locations across England and Wales. You can find the areas we operate in here.

You can also visit our vacancy search page to find Service Manager jobs near you.