Jobs

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Domestic Abuse Refuge Service Manager to join our Domestic Abuse Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£40,000.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x pensionable salary (T&Cs apply)

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to creating inclusive environments where both colleagues and the people we support can thrive.

The Opportunity

This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced and values-driven Service Manager to lead a specialist accommodation-based service supporting up to 15 women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

Service Leadership and Operational Management

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of the refuge service, ensuring a safe, high-quality, trauma-informed environment for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

Safeguarding, Risk and Safety Management

• Oversee the completion and quality assurance of customer risk assessments, individual safety plans, and support plans to ensure they remain person-centred, responsive, and outcome-focused.

Staff Leadership and Performance Management

• Provide strong and effective leadership to the refuge team, creating a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture focused on delivering excellent customer outcomes.

Quality Assurance, Partnerships and Service Development

• Work collaboratively with the Head of Service and Quality team to ensure the service consistently delivers excellent standards of support, achieves compliance requirements, and embeds best practice across all areas of delivery.

Compliance and Professional Practice

• Ensure all work is carried out in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, legislation, and professional standards.

About you:

Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), including the impact on women, children, and families.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services.
• Strong risk assessment, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, particularly in relation to safeguarding and high-risk cases.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to delivering person-centred, empowering, and inclusive services.

About us:

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Domestic Abuse Refuge Service Managerto join our Domestic Abuse Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£40,000.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x pensionable salary (T&Cs apply)

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Our domestic abuse services provide safe, high-quality accommodation and support to women and children fleeing abuse. Through trauma-informed and survivor-led approaches, we help individuals recover from trauma, rebuild confidence, and move towards greater independence and safety.

The Opportunity

This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced and values-driven Service Manager to lead a specialist accommodation-based service supporting up to 15 women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

As Service Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day delivery and ongoing development of the service, ensuring high standards of safety, safeguarding, support, and housing management are consistently maintained. You will lead and motivate a dedicated frontline team to deliver person-centred, trauma-informed support that empowers survivors to recover, rebuild, and achieve positive outcomes.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

Service Leadership and Operational Management

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of the refuge service, ensuring a safe, high-quality, trauma-informed environment for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

Safeguarding, Risk and Safety Management

• Oversee the completion and quality assurance of customer risk assessments, individual safety plans, and support plans to ensure they remain person-centred, responsive, and outcome-focused.

Staff Leadership and Performance Management

• Provide strong and effective leadership to the refuge team, creating a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture focused on delivering excellent customer outcomes.

Quality Assurance, Partnerships and Service Development

• Work collaboratively with the Head of Service and Quality team to ensure the service consistently delivers excellent standards of support, achieves compliance requirements, and embeds best practice across all areas of delivery.

Compliance and Professional Practice

• Ensure all work is carried out in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, legislation, and professional standards.

About you:

Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), including the impact on women, children, and families.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to delivering person-centred, empowering, and inclusive services.

About us:

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Homelessness Social Care Service in Kensington & Chelsea.

1x SW (Scattered sites) working pattern 9am - 5pm Monday-Friday.
1x SW (Warwick Road) rolling Rota. 8am - 4pm & 1pm - 9pm plus weekends.

£30,784.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to £3x pensionable salary (T&Cs apply)
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

• Undertake key-working responsibilities for a caseload assigned by the Team Leader / Manager
• Undertake initial and continuous assessment of needs and potential risks and agree levels of support and actions
• Create support/action plans for providing appropriate services based on the assessment and reflecting the services and resources available
• Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
• Approachable and open behaviour
• Prefers working as part of a group or team
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement

What you'll bring:

Desirable:
Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector.

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Service Charge Analyst located at our Head Office in Islington.

£35,000.00 per annum (pro rata), working 35 hours per week.

Fixed Term Contract for 6 months.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x pensionable salary (T&Cs apply)
• Free DBS

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

To play a key role in Look Ahead's review of service charge structures across its commissioned and non-commissioned housing portfolio.

They will draft new service charge schedules, provide clear written rationales for all proposed charges, and liaise directly with local authorities and housing benefit to explain and agree new charges for 2026-27.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

Review and Rebuild Service Charge Budgets

• Lead on the zero-based review of existing rent and service charge budgets across Look Ahead's full housing portfolio.

Draft and Implement New Service Charges Schedules

• Produce accurate and transparent service charges schedules for each scheme, distinguishing between eligible and ineligible costs in line with housing benefit guidance and provide summary rationale for each cost element.

Liaise with Local Authorities, Housing Benefit Teams and Owning Landlords

• Act as key contact for Housing Benefit teams, representing Look Ahead in rent and service discussion for 2026-27.

Collaboration and Internal Coordination

• Working closely with finance colleagues to align service charges budgets with proposed schedules for 2026-27.

Compliance, Reporting and Improvement

• Ensure full compliance with DWP guidance (including circulars A4/2014 and A1/2023), HB regulations, and Regulator of Social Housing requirements.

About you:

• Highly organised, able to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a time-limited role.
• Analytical and methodical, with a strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, auditable records.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Substantial experience reviewing or setting service charges within supported or social housing.
• Proven experience preparing enhanced Housing Benefit claims and engaging directly with local authority housing benefit teams.
• Experience of building or reviewing budgets using a zero-based or baseline-up approach.
• Strong understanding of Housing Benefit regulations relating to exempt and specified accommodation, including eligible and ineligible costs.

Desirable:

• Experience working in an interim, project-based, or time-limited role.
• Experience supporting or contributing to a full service charge review for a registered provider.

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Housing Operations Manager located at our Head Office in Islington.

£59,535.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x pensionable salary (T&Cs apply)
• Free DBS

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

Housing operations and tenancy management

• Lead the day-to-day landlord function across supported housing services, keeping standards consistent and addressing issues before they escalate.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

• Take responsibility for ensuring housing management activity actively identifies and responds to safeguarding risks, including where concerns emerge through non-engagement, property condition, or repeated enforcement action.

Property, Estates and Void Management

• Oversee a planned programme of estate inspections, tenancy audits, and housing-led health and safety checks, ensuring actions are clearly recorded, owned, and followed up where standards fall short.

Compliance and Resident Safety

• Take day-to-day responsibility for housing-led compliance activity, working closely with Property and Compliance teams to make sure statutory requirements are met in practice, not just on paper.

Leadership and Team Management

• Line manage Housing Officers, setting clear expectations around performance, accountability, and professional conduct, and addressing issues promptly where standards slip.

Cross-Departmental Coordination

• Act as the main operational link between Housing, Property, Compliance, Care and Support, and Income teams, ensuring issues are addressed collectively rather than passed between services.

Customer Involvement and Tenant Experience

• Promote meaningful resident involvement in housing services, ensuring opportunities for engagement are accessible and appropriate to the needs of supported housing residents.

Performance, Quality and Assurance

• Use performance data, case audits, complaints, and service insight to identify emerging risks, recurring issues, and gaps in housing management practice.

Key relationships

• Head of Housing
• Housing Officers
• Income Team
• Care & Support operational teams

About you:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, networks in local business community.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Ideally educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Holds relevant CMI/NVQ Level 3 or other business/management qualification.

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications are desirable.

About us:

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Team Leader to join our Homelessness and Complex Needs Social Care Service in Slough. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£33,130.60 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

6 month Secondment

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x pensionable salary (T&Cs apply)
• Free DBS

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The post holder will be fully involved in all aspects of the day-to-day management of their designated service, including line managing the relevant front line staff.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

• Lead and motivate your team to ensure a positive local culture within your service.
• Deliver effective supervision and team meetings with staff. Promote effective information sharing, reporting and communication.
• Set clear expectations of quality standards, work plans and targets for staff.
• Responsible for the personal development of staff, identifying high performers and feeding into the organisations succession plans and identifying training needs.
• Experience of working with customers with complex needs and the ability to engage hard to reach customers.
• Knowledge of the issues facing homeless people.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local agencies and community groups.

About you:

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Ideally educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Holds relevant CMI/NVQ Level 3 or other business/management qualification.

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications are desirable.

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Service Manager to join our Young People Social Care Service in Bracknell.

£41,200.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

In this role, you will actively listen to and engage with young people, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. Developing and maintaining essential external partnerships will be key to providing a robust support structure for our customers. We are looking for an empathetic leader who can connect with young people and staff alike, showing genuine care and understanding. You should be adept at comprehending and implementing policies and procedures to benefit both customers and the organisation. Excellent communication skills are essential for effectively liaising with stakeholders, Children services, Commissioning teams, and OFSTED. A proactive approach to service development and regulatory compliance will be crucial to your success.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

• Drive business planning activities within your contract, ensuring relevant and challenging objective setting and ongoing performance tracking, developing turn around action plans as may be necessary
• Using sound financial and accounting principles, manage contract budgets to deliver on corporate and local contract financial targets
• Successfully lead and motivate your team to ensure the championing of and maintenance of a positive local culture within your service
• Work to continuously improve staff competence, ensure ownership of all staff issues and speedy and effective conflict resolution
• Responsible for reporting all staff changes to HR and Payroll departments, as appropriate e.g. starters, leavers, additional hours etc.
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly staff succession plans
• Deliver effective, professional and commercially focused briefings and supervision meetings with staff and ensure that information, reporting & communications flow up/down is effective
• Responsible for managing and allocating customers to support staff (casework management)
• Develop key business relationships with all relevant customers/external parties to ensure service delivery excellence and maximise new business opportunities in own patch
• Plan, organise and prioritise operations within your contract to ensure maximum efficiencies/utilisation of all resources
• Working with your team lead creative and ambitious customer involvement plans across the patch and ensure successful implementation

About you:

• Ability to lead and motivate staff to deliver excellent services
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
• Has a practical and logical mind

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Experience of managing contracts and resources and delivering to budget and performance targets
• Experience of delivering to housing management performance targets

Desirable:

• Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications

About us:

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.