Deputy manager jobs

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm with the requirement of working one late shift per week, one shift at the weekend per month and be part of an out of hours ‘on-call rota’

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

Are you a person‑centred leader who thrives on empowering others and driving positive outcomes for young people?

If so, we are searching for a motivational and resilient leader who thrives on developing others, championing best practice, and nurturing a collaborative and compassionate culture. You will bring a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach to both your team and the young people we support, ensuring everyone feels understood, safe, and empowered. If you are energised by leading teams, shaping services, and supporting staff to deliver exceptional, person-centred support - even in challenging moments - this could be the role for you.

As Deputy Supported Housing Manager, you will play a central role in our Eastbourne and Hailsham services - supported accommodation for young people aged 16–25 who are at risk of homelessness. Our services operate 24/7 to provide a safe, stable home where young people can feel understood, encouraged and supported. You will be based at our Eastbourne Foyer, located in the heart of Eastbourne, where the service maintains strong connections with and contributes actively to the local community. The role also involves travel across Eastbourne and Hailsham to our other East Sussex sites.

Across our East Sussex sites, we work with around 50 young people, each with their own story, strengths, challenges and ambitions. Support Workers hold individual caseloads and meet regularly with residents to build support plans, celebrate progress, and set meaningful goals for the future. Your leadership will help create the environment where this work thrives - one where young people feel empowered and staff feel confident and supported. 

What you will be doing

As Deputy Supported Housing Manager, you will play a key role in the running, quality, and impact of our services. Working closely with the Supported Housing Manager, you will help lead a safe, supportive, and high‑performing environment where young people can thrive.

Service Provision

You will support the Supported Housing Manager with the day‑to‑day delivery of the service, ensuring we meet all requirements set out in the service specification and remain fully compliant with Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted standards. Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the full referral, interview, and induction process for all bedspaces and ensuring that every resident understands their Occupancy Agreement and House Rules.
• Maintaining the quality, safety, and presentation of the accommodation by working closely with our Housing and Property Services team to coordinate estate inspections, health and safety risk assessments, repairs, and the timely turnaround of void rooms.
• Supporting effective income collection across the service, working with the Rents team to build and maintain a positive rent‑payment culture among residents. 

Leadership and People Management

You will directly line‑manage members of the staff team, ensuring their practice, professionalism, and development reflect our high standards. You will:

• Provide coaching, guidance, and clear expectations to ensure staff feel confident, supported, and motivated in their work with young people.
• Create a team culture rooted in creativity, consistency, and best practice, ensuring staff are equipped to empower young people to reach their goals while maintaining appropriate and safe boundaries.
• Be responsible for creating and maintaining staff rotas to ensure adequate service coverage at all times.

General Responsibilities

• Participate in the management on‑call rota, offering out‑of‑hours support to services across the wider locality.
• Embed Psychologically Informed Environments (PIEs), Trauma‑Informed approaches, and restorative practices throughout your work, ensuring our support model is compassionate, reflective, and person‑centred.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

You have experience line managing staff and building positive, supportive team cultures. You bring consistency, are well organised and approachable, and are confident in setting clear expectations. You enjoy motivating others, supporting staff development, and planning effective rotas to ensure high‑quality service delivery.

You will bring experience working in supported housing or similar services, supporting young people and/or adults at risk, along with proven experience in managing or supervising a team. You will already have a solid understanding of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and Ofsted frameworks, as well as a strong working knowledge of Trauma‑Informed Care and Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE).

You will be an effective communicator with strong facilitation skills, able to navigate challenging situations with confidence, calmness, and a solution‑focused approach. You will also have experience overseeing safeguarding procedures within residential settings, ensuring safety, accountability, and robust decision‑making. Just as importantly, you will understand the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, modelling best practice for the team and the young people we support.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 31 May 2026 at midnight. Please note applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we may invite strong candidates to interview before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

We are not able to support a work permit or offer a visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a well-established children’s charity in London in their search for a Deputy Play Manager.

Full-time | £36,000 per annum

The charity has been supporting children, young people and families for over 25 years through a range of play, family support and youth programmes. Their Ofsted-registered after-school and holiday play schemes provide children aged 4–11 with safe, engaging and nurturing environments to explore, grow and thrive.

As Deputy Play Manager, you’ll play a key leadership role within the play service, helping to design, deliver and evaluate a high-quality programme of activities. You’ll support the Play Manager in day-to-day operations (including managing enquiries/collection of fees), team management and ensuring compliance with all safeguarding, health and safety, and Ofsted standards.

This is a hands-on role combining leadership, planning, and active delivery — you’ll work directly with children and families to create safe, inclusive, and stimulating play environments.

About You

Essential skills and experience:

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in Playwork, Early Years, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working directly with children aged 4–11.
• Strong understanding of EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate play activities.
• Confident leading active, outdoor or adventure-based play.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Strong organisational and IT skills.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting children with additional needs or from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience supervising others or managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of current issues affecting children and families.
• Relevant training such as paediatric first aid or food hygiene.

Play is at the heart of what they do — the organisation believes that every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a happy, fulfilling childhood through both free and guided play experiences.

If you’re passionate about play, child development and helping young people thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please submit your CV to

 Please note, CVs are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and only successful applicants will be contacted with more information.

 As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Role Purpose

The Deputy Support Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day leadership of frontline support services, ensuring a consistently warm, inclusive, and professional experience for everyone engaging with Mustard Tree.

This role plays a critical part in delivering a “Mustard Tree Welcome” – a trauma-informed, non-judgemental, and person-centred approach that ensures every individual feels seen, heard, valued, and safe from their first point of contact.

You will lead a proactive and positive team to deliver exceptional client care across both in-person and digital channels (including phone, email, and internal systems), ensuring services are accessible, responsive, and delivered with dignity.

Through strong leadership, clear communication, and effective management, you will ensure the reception environment runs smoothly, maintains high standards of safeguarding and service delivery, and contributes meaningfully to Mustard Tree’s mission to support people facing poverty and crisis.

Key Competencies

World Class Welcome and Customer Service

· Deliver and role model a “Mustard Tree Welcome” that is compassionate, trauma-informed, inclusive, and non-judgemental.

· Ensure all individuals are greeted in a way that promotes dignity, respect, and belonging.

· Maintain a rota that provides reception and support coverage from 8am–4pm, ensuring accessibility for staff, volunteers, and members at all times.

· Lead the team to provide a high-quality, consistent welcome across all channels, including face-to-face, telephone and email and digital systems

· Ensure digital communication is timely, professional, and empathetic, with accurate information recorded on TreeSalt.

· Support individuals to access services confidently through clear communication, reassurance, and effective signposting.

Proactive in Living and Sharing our Culture, Values and Behaviours

· Take ownership of maintaining a professional, organised, and calm reception environment at all times.

· Ensure the reception environment is welcoming, safe, and accessible.

· Mentor and support Freedom volunteers, ensuring they are confident, capable, and aligned with service standards.

Courage in Problem Solving and Embracing Change to Meet Needs

· Identify areas for improvement and proactively implement solutions to enhance service delivery.

· Take ownership of operational decision-making within the reception area, including rota management, workflow prioritisation, and service adjustments.

· Ensure systems and processes are used effectively to maintain a smooth, efficient service.

Confident in Safeguarding and Incident Management

· Act as a safeguarding lead within the reception environment, ensuring all concerns are recognised, recorded, and escalated appropriately.

· Maintain a strong awareness of risk, responding calmly and effectively to challenging or complex situations, supporting to minimise incidents.

· Support individuals in distress with empathy and professionalism, ensuring appropriate boundaries and escalation.

· Ensure confidentiality and data protection standards are upheld at all times.

· Demonstrate resilience, maintaining professionalism, positivity, and emotional awareness in a fast-paced and challenging environment.

Skilled in Analysing Impact and Reporting

· Oversee and monitor registrations, identifying trends and ensuring fair access to services such as the Community Shop.

· Deliver a minimum of 20 weekly support appointments, ensuring timely access and reducing waiting times for individuals in need.

· Collect a minimum of 2 case studies per month to evidence impact and inform service development.

· Conduct monthly audits with the Service Manager to ensure high standards across:

•  Data input and use of TreeSalt
•  Paperwork accuracy and compliance
•  Quality and consistency of the welcome experience

Positive Management of Stakeholders, Partners and Supporters

· Support case management processes alongside the Service Manager, ensuring coordinated and effective support for individuals.

· Develop and maintain relationships with other services, ensuring clear navigation and warm handover for clients.

· Support individuals to access services confidently through clear communication, reassurance, and effective signposting.

· Regularly review feedback from comments books and satisfaction surveys, embedding learning into service improvements.

Insight in Finances and Expenditure

· Support effective use of resources, identifying efficiencies and ensuring services are delivered within agreed budgets where applicable.

· Work with operational teams to manage stock given using the 40% gifting model in the community shop.

· Monitor the use of the hardship fund from reception, providing small grants to people in crisis via existing processes.

Developing Accountability and Inspiring our Teams

· Lead, supervise, and motivate the Support teams, including volunteers.

· Act as the central coordination point for reception, ensuring alignment between services, teams, and daily operations

· Conduct regular 1:1s, setting clear expectations, supporting wellbeing, and addressing performance proactively.

· Ensure all data input is completed by the support staff time within expected guidelines, including communication of risk and safeguarding.

· Identify skills gaps and ensure appropriate training and development, including:

• Motivational interviewing
• Trauma-informed practice

· Deliver consistent communication through:

• Daily morning briefing.
• Monthly team meetings and updates

· Delegate tasks effectively while maintaining overall accountability for team performance.

General Work Duties

· Support Freedom trainees to develop skills and behaviours and feel part of the community.

· Work within health and safety guidelines and Mustard Tree policies and procedures

· Supporting other staff and departments and provide practical relief cover for workstreams.

· Take responsibility for professional development, attending training courses as required.

· Leading by example, embodying Mustard Tree values and represent the charity as required.

· Contribute towards being an environmentally responsible organisation as part of day-to-day activities including recycling and supporting ‘paper-lite’ practices.

· Other tasks and duties relevant to the role as required by the organisation.