Assistant Service Manager

Avenues Group; Birchington; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community services organization is seeking a full-time Assistant Service Manager in Birchington. This role focuses on supporting three brothers with learning disabilities and autism, requiring strong management skills and a compassionate approach. Ideal candidates will have a solid understanding of relevant legislation and best practices in social care. Offering a salary of £27,969 plus additional complexity enhancement, this position provides opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

High quality training

Paid enhanced DBS check

Flexible working

Shopping discount via Blue Light Card

Paid annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Free 24/7 health portal access

Recommend a Friend scheme

Qualifications

• Strong background in supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
• Confidence in managing budgets and financial information.
• Solid understanding of sector legislation, regulatory standards and best practice.

Responsibilities

• Balance safety with positive risk-taking while adhering to policies.
• Recruit, develop, and manage staff fairly, fostering continuous improvement.
• Manage shifting schedules, including day and night shifts.
• Participate in the on-call process.

Skills

Supporting people with learning disabilities

Managing budgets

Understanding of sector legislation

Job description

Overview

Assistant Service Manager – Birchington, Kent

Full Time | Supported Living | £27,969 + £1,200 complexity enhancement

Avenues is more than a workplace — it’s a community. A place where people smile, grow, feel valued, and achieve great things together.

We’re excited to offer a brand‑new opportunity for a full‑time Assistant Service Manager with experience in a similar social care role, whether that’s as an Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager, Supervisor or Team Leader. This is a supported living service in Birchington supporting three brothers with learning disabilities, autism and some behaviours of concern. The service can be challenging so we’re looking for someone who can remain calm, compassionate and confident in those moments. Your ability to respond with patience, consistency and a positive, person‑centered approach will make a real difference to the lives of the people we support and to the team around you.

You’ll have a strong background in supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs, along with confidence in managing budgets and financial information. A solid understanding of sector legislation, regulatory standards and best practice is essential, as is the ability to work closely with the Service Manager to lead a positive, motivated and successful team.

Responsibilities

• Recognise the importance of balancing safety with positive risk‑taking, and stay up to date with policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of support.
• Play an active role in recruiting, developing and managing staff fairly and consistently, and help nurture a culture of continuous improvement across the service.
• Take part in management cover of rota that may involve both day and night shifts. A general shift could be 7am‑2:30pm or 2:30pm‑10pm.
• As a practice lead, some weekends are required to be worked.
• participate in the on‑call process.
• Although not essential, being a driver with a full UK license is highly desirable to support travel to the service and the use of service vehicles.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong background in supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
• Confidence in managing budgets and financial information.
• Solid understanding of sector legislation, regulatory standards and best practice.
• Ability to work closely with the Service Manager to lead a positive, motivated and successful team.

Benefits

• £27,969 + £1,200 complexity enhancement
• High quality training that supports your career development.
• Paid enhanced DBS check.
• Flexible working.
• Shopping discount via Blue Light Card and The Benefits website.
• Paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Contributory pension scheme with life assurance.
• Free and confidential 24/7 access to a health portal, counselling and support.
• Recommend a Friend scheme – earn up to £500.

As part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident Scheme”, candidates who declare a disability, and meet the key criteria for this role, will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview stage.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found or experiencing a high volume of applications.