Deputy Service Manager

Supported Accommodation (16-25 Years)

Help Us Create Lasting Change for Young People

At Next Wave Care Group, we believe every young person deserves consistency, safety, genuine relationships and the opportunity to build a positive future.

We provide trauma-informed supported accommodation for young people aged 16-25, supporting them to develop the confidence, resilience and practical life skills needed to move successfully into adulthood. Our approach is relationship-based, therapeutic and focused on empowerment rather than dependence.

We're looking for an exceptional Deputy Service Manager who shares our values and can support our Registered Service Manager in leading a service that young people are proud to call home.

This is not just another management role.

We're looking for someone who genuinely believes that vulnerable young people can achieve great things when surrounded by reliable, caring professionals who show up consistently and do what they say they will do.

About Next Wave Care Group

Next Wave Care Group is a growing, values-led organisation providing high-quality, trauma-informed supported accommodation.

Our teams work alongside young people who may have experienced trauma, instability, loss, exploitation, family breakdown, adverse childhood experiences and disrupted relationships with professionals.

Everything we do is built around:

• Putting young people first
• Building meaningful and trusted relationships
• Promoting independence and resilience
• Maintaining high safeguarding standards
• Working collaboratively with professionals and families
• Creating opportunities, not dependence
• Continuous improvement and learning

We expect high standards from our teams because the young people we support deserve nothing less.

The Role

Working directly alongside the Registered Service Manager, you will play a key role in the leadership, development and day-to-day management of our supported accommodation service, including participation in the management on-call rota. 

You'll help ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do, support the development of our team, maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and contribute to delivering outstanding outcomes for young people.

You will lead by example, supporting staff to provide consistent, trauma-informed support while fostering a positive culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Support and deputise for the Registered Service Manager.
• Lead, motivate and develop support staff and Team Leaders.
• Deliver supervision, coaching and reflective practice sessions.
• Promote a positive culture that balances support, learning and accountability.
• Assist with recruitment, induction, probation and staff development.
• Ensure staff maintain professional boundaries and high standards of practice.

Safeguarding & Quality

• Support the management of safeguarding concerns and referrals.
• Monitor incidents, risk assessments and support plans.
• Lead on quality assurance audits and service improvements.
• Help maintain inspection readiness at all times.
• Ensure policies, procedures and records remain compliant and effective.
• Promote professional curiosity and positive risk management.

Supporting Young People

• Ensure support remains child-centred and outcome-focused.
• Monitor progress towards independence goals.
• Support young people to access education, employment, training and community opportunities.
• Ensure young people's voices influence service delivery.
• Promote aspirational outcomes and celebrate achievements.

Multi-Agency Working

• Develop positive professional relationships with Local Authorities and partner agencies.
• Attend reviews, professionals meetings and safeguarding meetings.
• Represent Next Wave Care Group professionally and confidently.

Who We're Looking For

We're interested in people who have the qualifications (or willingness to work towards them) and strong experience working with young people or vulnerable adults, but equally importantly, we're looking for the right values and mindset.

The successful candidate will be:

Safeguarding focused

Passionate about helping young people succeed

Resilient and emotionally mature

Consistent, reliable and dependable

Organised and committed to finding solutions rather than becoming overwhelmed by obstacles

Able to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure

Able to challenge poor practice professionally

Committed to trauma-informed approaches

A positive role model for staff and young people

Essential Requirements

• Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, Children & Young People's Workforce, Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience working with vulnerable young people.
• Experience supervising or leading staff teams.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and practice.
• Experience completing and reviewing risk assessments and support plans.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to build effective professional relationships.
• Enhanced DBS with Children's Barred List clearance.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or willingness to work towards).
• Experience within regulated supported accommodation or residential childcare.
• Experience preparing for inspections.
• Training in trauma-informed practice
• Mental Health First Aid qualification.
• Experience supporting young people affected by exploitation, adverse childhood experiences or complex trauma.

Why Join Next Wave Care Group?

We are building something different.

We want professionals who care deeply about young people while maintaining clear expectations, strong boundaries and high standards.

In return, you'll receive:

• A supportive and experienced leadership team
• Ongoing professional development
• Reflective supervision and mentoring
• Opportunities for progression
• A values-led culture
• The opportunity to genuinely influence the lives of young people

Most importantly, you'll join a team committed to making a lasting difference.

Closing Statement

If you're an experienced leader who believes vulnerable young people deserve consistency, honesty, strong role models and opportunities to thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

Please complete the application form attached. Due to safer recruitment, we cannot accept CV's alone. 

Join Next Wave Care Group and help shape brighter futures for young people transitioning into adulthood.

Next Wave Care Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to enhanced safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS with a Children's Barred List check.

Please note we do not currently offer sponsorship.