Jobs in andover

Our client’s Day Centre is the heart of the homeless community in Southampton. They provide a safe space for up to 70 adults each day, who are experiencing homelessness, to access basic facilities such as food, clothes, showers, and laundry. The service also has a dedicated health care service on-site. They also provide accommodation for up to 10 clients. 

Their aim is to support their clients to remain safe and maintain their mental and physical health; to ensure their immediate needs are met and to help clients find the right path for them to access support and long-term accommodation. 

They have a close-knit, collaborative team that supports each other and our clients. If you’re looking for a fast paced, busy role, where you can make a real difference in the lives of those who you support, then this is the role for you! 

They now have an opportunity for a Service Leader to join them to manage the service and team that that provide people with homes and specialist support, so they feel more valued and secure, and ready to take the next steps.

About the role 

As Service Leader you will ensure effective and efficient cover of staff rotas through the recruitment, induction and management of staff, relief, and agency workers. ensure the achievement of service targets  

Working closely with the Contracts & Performance Manager you will look to identify, cultivate and secure new funding streams and business opportunities in line with the service development plan and will develop and maintain excellent working relationships with their partners and commissioners. 

You'll also contribute to the delivery of their communications, fundraising, volunteering, and value for money strategies

Further information:  

• This role has line management responsibilities 

• This role has financial authorisation responsibilities 

• This role has on call responsibilities 

• This role will require an Enhanced with Barred List(s) disclosure and barring service check is a requirement for this role. This would be completed on appointment of the role. 

• This role will require a full drivers’ licence and access to a vehicle 

• This role will require you to work flexibly across several sites

About you 

They are looking for an individual with experience of working in a residential, institutional or similar sector in a leadership capacity. 

You will ideally hold a management level or professional qualification and have had previous training and experience in social care, management, housing. 

Previous experience of working with those experiencing homelessness or complex needs would also be beneficial. 

They reserve the right to close their adverts early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible. 

We are working in partnership with Dravet Syndrome UK (DSUK) a small independent UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Dravet Syndrome. The charity was founded in October 2008 by a small group of 30 families. Today, DSUK is a registered charity helping nearly 600 families with support, education, and research services, underpinned by a world-class Medical Advisory Board.

They are now seeking a Head of Family Services, a newly created senior role to enable DSUK to drive forward with the implementation of their five-year strategic plan, including supporting and empowering families to access the support to which they are entitled in living with a complex and life limiting condition.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation and help guide the next stage of their development, enabling them to make a positive difference in the lives of more people affected by Dravet Syndrome in the UK.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Demonstrable ability to interpret and use current legislation and guidance to protect and/or advance people's rights and entitlements
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the confidence and ability to engage effectively with families, healthcare professionals, social workers and other stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively in written and verbal formats.
• Proven ability to provide high quality professional supervision (reflective practice) to qualified and unqualified staff, in order to maximise personal effectiveness and professional development
• Excellent organisational and teamworking skills to be able work remotely, manage and prioritise a varied caseload and delegate effectively

The successful candidate will be compassionate, skilled, hands-on and collaborative with significant experience of a working environment involving families with disability and/or complex needs (e.g. social care, health care, special needs education, disability law and/or family support in a similar organisation). You will have good working knowledge of disability law and other relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks, relevant organisations and agencies involved, and experience of an appropriate range of professional interventions. You will have demonstrable expertise and advanced training all aspects of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults. You have proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support colleagues towards achieving shared goals.

Please note: As part of DS UK’s commitment to safeguarding, the postholder is expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Location: Fully Remote, with monthly travel across the UK

Closing date: 9 November 2025

Charisma vetting interviews to be completed by 12 November 2025 prior to shortlisting

1st interviews with Dravet Syndrome UK: 27 November (online)

2nd interviews with Dravet Syndrome UK: 12 December (in-person) - TBC