Service Manager

Homeless Link; Bedford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health support organization in Bedford is seeking a Service Manager to lead a new Mental Health Service launching in 2026. The role involves providing leadership and line management to a team, ensuring high-quality support and operational delivery. Candidates should have strong leadership experience and knowledge of mental health practices. The position offers competitive salary, 25 days of annual leave, and a supportive work environment focused on team wellbeing and development.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Employer Pension Contribution

Training and Development Opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience to drive service outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience in a similar service environment.
• Knowledgeable of mental health support practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team providing overall service leadership.
• Ensure quality and consistency in service delivery.
• Manage day to day operations and risk management.

Skills

Leadership

Mental Health Support

Team Motivation

Risk Management

IT Proficiency

Job description

Job Title

Service Manager

Location

Bedford. Unfortunately this service does not have step free access

Salary

£36,400

Shift Pattern

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service and resident requirements, as well as be part of the out of hours on call rota for managers.

About the Role

Join and lead our brand new Mental Health Service which is due to go live April 2026. The service is a step-down service, which provides short-stay, trauma-informed alternative to hospital admission and facilities. The service forms part of a wider integrated initiative for urgent and emergency care. The team will support our residents who are at risk of admission but can be supported outside of mental health hospital settings, by providing tailored support to them to help them overcome their personal barriers, and achieve their goals, to live more fulfilled lives and independent living.

In this role, you will lead the team by providing overall leadership to the service and line management responsibilities to support, enable, and empower your team to deliver high quality support to our residents. You will drive service outcomes in line with contractual requirements, ensuring quality and consistency within a trauma and psychologically informed environment. You will ensure the service runs smoothly in collaboration with the team, wider teams, and external partners. We\'re looking for someone who is solution focused, has experience within a similar service environment, and can create a safe space for individuals to learn, and grow.

Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Line management and leadership, offering guidance and support throughout the employee lifecycle, fostering a supportive leadership culture focused on staff wellbeing, learning, and development.
• Encourage productivity, engagement, and wellbeing of the team through regular check-ins, training, meetings, and supervisions.
• Support with day to day tasks within the service, supporting the team to deliver the best possible outcomes with their residents.
• Lead the day to day operational delivery of the service.
• Risk Management ownership, ensuring processes and policies are followed.
• Property and housing management, ensuring accommodation standards, timely maintenance and reporting.
• Striving to ensure excellence and quality in our service delivery.
• Financial Management of service budget with cost saving mechanisms.

About You

We\'re seeking someone who has a genuine passion for making a difference to lives, and helping to create safer communities for all. You will be a proactive leader, with the ability to motivate and empower a team to drive excellence, both as individuals, and as a team, whilst providing practical solutions to challenges which arise. You will be knowledgeable of mental health and have an understanding and experience in how to support those who struggle. We\'re looking for someone who can build rapport, trust, and create an environment which allows individuals to grow their skills and experience and develop as individuals.

• Previous leadership experience, and ability to take responsibility for the full service, ensuring service outcomes, KPI\'s and requirements are met.
• Demonstratable experience in leading a service/team in a similar capacity.
• Previous experience in supporting those who struggle with their mental health, ideally in a similar environment.
• Ability to provide high quality support and line management to staff.
• Ability to motivate and empower a team to achieve KPI\'s
• Ability to provide advice, guidance, and support to the team on all aspects of service delivery including resident related queries
• Ability to promote the service externally to enhance reputation in the area and with partner organisations
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands and needs of the service. For example, Provide an emergency on call service as and when required in case of emergency
• IT proficiency - we use various systems so look for someone who can learn and navigate new systems including case management, Microsoft, ATS, HR systems, and other types of organisational software.
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

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

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

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, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change.

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets. 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

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.

As part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below.

For Recruitment related enquiries, or if you need support with making your application for example due to learning needs or a disability, please email [e-mail] 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.

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

Closing Date: 22 February 2026