Orwell Housing Association
SERVICE MANAGER
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Service Manager
Salary: £37,584.02 per annum
Hours: Full time – 37 hours per week
Location: Christchurch House, Ipswich
Ref: CH055
Shape Futures. Empower Young People. Lead with Purpose.
Can you inspire a team while helping young people build brighter futures?
Christchurch House is a 37-bedroom supported housing service in Ipswich, providing accommodation and personalised support for young people aged 18-24 experiencing homelessness. We are looking for an exceptional Service Manager to lead the service, support our talented team, and help young people take positive steps towards independence.
This is a rewarding leadership opportunity for someone who brings warmth, empathy and determination, along with the ability to create a positive culture where young people and colleagues can achieve their full potential.
What you’ll be doing:
You'll lead all aspects of service delivery, ensuring young people receive high-quality, person-centred support that builds confidence, resilience and independence.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Inspiring, developing and empowering a dedicated support team.
- Creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for vulnerable young people.
- Promoting excellent safeguarding and risk management practices.
- Working collaboratively with local authorities, education providers, health services and community partners.
- Driving continuous improvement and delivering outstanding outcomes for customers.
- Ensuring the service operates effectively, efficiently and in line with organisational values.
About you
You'll be an experienced people-focused leader who has:
- Experience managing teams within homelessness, housing, supported living or related services.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management and supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
- A collaborative leadership style that motivates and develops others.
- The ability to remain calm, decisive and solution-focused in a fast-paced environment.
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Most importantly, you'll understand that great leadership starts with empathy, respect and a genuine belief in people's potential.
If you're a compassionate leader who wants to empower young people, support an exceptional team, and create lasting positive change, we want to hear from you.
Please view the full job description for further information regarding the role requirements, qualifications and responsibilities.
More benefits of joining #TeamOrwell:
When you join Orwell, you become part of a values-driven team that puts people first and you’ll also have access to a variety of benefits that help you feel appreciated and able to thrive, such as:
- 22 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays (Please note that bank-holiday work may be required as part of this role).
- Reward and recognition awards.
- Free DBS checks.
- Cashback Health plan.
- Access to Blue Light Card – membership fees apply.
- Ongoing training and development & opportunities to progress in your role through the Orwell Academy.
- Wellbeing programme.
Person Specification
- GCSE Maths and English (Grade 9-4 / A-C or equivalent)
- Leadership qualification or willingness to gain a qualification in the Orwell Academy.
- A full driving licence is desirable.
Closing date for applications: 6 September 2026
Interview date: 11th September
Before applying…
Orwell is committed to safeguarding and safer employment and the principles of empowerment.
Please note Orwell Housing Association does not provide visa sponsorship. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply. You will be required to provide the relevant right to work documentation if successfully appointed to the role.
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List. All new arrivals to the UK must also provide a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC). The definition of new arrival is an applicant who has worked or been resident overseas in the previous five years and this includes citizens of the UK who have worked or lived overseas for a continuous period of six months or more.
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Apply with Confidence
Orwell is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We believe in creating an accessible and supportive environment, where every team member can thrive and contribute. Join us in our commitment to building a workplace that celebrates diversity and empowers all individuals to reach their full potential. We actively welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure equal access and opportunity for all.
We know that diverse teams drive innovation and deliver better outcomes. Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every requirement. If you’re excited about this opportunity but don’t meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply anyway. Your unique experiences, perspectives, skills and most importantly your alignment with our culture and values could be exactly what we’re looking for.
We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to succeed.
If there is anything that might prevent you from applying for one of our roles, we want to help remove that barrier. Please contact our Talent team by calling 01473 228782 or emailing work@orwell-housing.co.uk.
Orwell Housing Association Limited collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Please see the Privacy Notice - https://www.orwell-housing.co.uk/about-us/privacy-policy/
By applying to this job you agree you have read, understand and accept the content of the Privacy Notice – https://www.orwell-housing.co.uk/about-us/privacy-policy/consent to the processing of your data as part of this application.
For more information and career guidance, check our career hub.
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