Deputy Service Manager

Are you passionate about supporting individuals with mental health challenges and eager to be part of a proactive, caring community? If so, we would love to hear from you! 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Deputy Service Manager contract to join our small team of 3. Solace is a unique mental health drop-in centre providing a welcoming and supportive community for adults experiencing loneliness, isolation, and mental health challenges. With 85 members, many diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, Solace offers a safe space where individuals can feel included, build confidence, and make meaningful connections at their own pace. This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals within our community. 

Our members’ slogan, “Together Accepting Difference”, reflects our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Solace is more than a service – it’s a second home for many, where members can engage in activities like playing pool, using computers, or helping out in the garden meet with friends and have a coffee.  

Shift Pattern: Full Time - Monday to Fridays - Shift Patterns are 13.00 - 20.00 flexibility to work over Christmas and some bank holidays as may be required by the Service On-site Only

Salary: £30,000

What are we looking for from a Deputy Service Manager?

• Confidence in using IT; we use various systems and software's so need someone who is confident in learning new IT skills and can navigate around computer systems
• Has confident leadership skills and can inspire and motivate a team. While you’ll have support from management, this role requires someone who can take ownership and lead with confidence
• Can drive the service forward and implement improvements
• Is confident in managing complex situations and making decisions
• Takes ownership of their work and leads with confidence
• Can work at pace, use their initiative, make decisions, and be proactive in their approach
• Has experience in homelessness, substance use, or a related field, with transferable skills that align with some of the challenges that can arise in this position 

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting the team: Providing high-quality guidance, advice, and leadership to frontline care and support staff.
• Day-to-day operations: Overseeing the service in collaboration with the Service Manager, ensuring the delivery of trauma-informed and recovery-focused support to residents.
• Stakeholder management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with external partners, including the community rehabilitation team within the mental health trust.
• Service promotion: Representing the service and providing outreach-based provision to engage with stakeholders.
• Health and safety: Conducting health and safety checks, internal audits, and ensuring compliance with organisational standards.
• Document preparation: Preparing documents for external meetings
• Incident management: Advising on and responding to incidents as they arise.
• Service leadership: Managing the service in the absence of the Service Manager, ensuring continuity and high standards of care.

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group.  

We are an inclusive employer, committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We have a team of ambassadors who are staff volunteers and actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience ; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. As an organisation, we’re proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

For Recruitment related enquiries, or if you need support with making your application for example due to learning needs or a disability, please email recruitment@socialinterestgroup.org.uk or call our central office on 020 3668 9270 to request a call back. Please note that this will take you through to our Central Administration team, who will then communicate your enquiry with us and we will arrange to call you back. 

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We are an inclusive employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details above. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.