Service Manager - Mental Health Services

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated leader to join Milestones Trust's Mental Health Division as a Peripatetic Service Manager.

What does "Peripatetic" mean for this role?

In this position, "peripatetic" means you will provide management cover across our different regional sites, rather than being based permanently at a single location.

However, you will not be traveling to a different site every day. You will typically be assigned to one specific project or location for extended periods—often weeks or months at a time—to provide stable, ongoing management support where it is needed most.

An exciting pathway to permanence:

Because you will become embedded within the teams you support, this role offers a genuine opportunity to move into a permanent Service Manager position should a suitable vacancy arise and align with your skills, experience and success in the role.

About the role

This is a varied and rewarding leadership position supporting services during periods of change, growth, development or management absence.

You will provide operational oversight, leadership and guidance to teams supporting people with complex and enduring mental health needs. Your focus will be on delivering high-quality, recovery-focused support, maintaining compliance and driving positive outcomes for the people we support.

As a Service Manager, you will be accountable for the overall performance, quality and compliance of the services you oversee. You will provide visible leadership, support the development of Service Coordinators and staff teams, and ensure services are person-centred, effective and aligned with organisational values.

You will also work collaboratively with colleagues, commissioners, healthcare professionals, families and other stakeholders to ensure people receive coordinated, responsive and personalised support.

Travel & Vehicle Requirements

You must have access to your own reliable vehicle for business use. We fully understand that travel is a key part of this role, which is why all business mileage is reimbursed at our standard company rate.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and supporting Service Coordinators and wider staff teams to deliver high-quality, recovery-focused services.
• Ensuring services operate safely and remain compliant with regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements.
• Driving continuous improvement and embedding a culture of learning, accountability and excellence.
• Monitoring service performance and using data, feedback and outcomes to inform service development.
• Managing budgets effectively and ensuring resources are utilised efficiently.
• Supporting workforce planning, recruitment, retention and staff development across the services you oversee.
• Building positive relationships with commissioners, health professionals, families and other key stakeholders.
• Supporting referrals, assessments, service transitions and occupancy management.
• Acting as a visible and approachable leader who promotes the Trust's values and culture. 

About you

The successful candidate will:

• Have substantial experience working with people who have complex and enduring mental health needs.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and management experience within health, social care or supported housing services.
• Have a proven track record of leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams.
• Be confident managing complex situations, safeguarding concerns and positive risk-taking within a social care environment.
• Possess excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Be able to analyse service performance, identify opportunities for improvement and implement effective solutions.
• Have experience managing budgets, resources and workforce planning.
• Be highly organised, resilient and able to balance competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Be confident using IT systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Share a commitment to person-centred practice, inclusion and delivering excellent outcomes for people with mental health support needs. 

Why join us?

This is an excellent opportunity to work across a variety of services, develop talented teams and play a key role in shaping high-quality mental health support across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. You'll be joining an organisation that is committed to empowering people, investing in its workforce and continually improving the services it delivers.

As a Peripatetic Service Manager, you'll gain a breadth of experience, expand your leadership skills and have the opportunity to progress into a permanent management role in the future.

Here at Milestones Trust we recognise that without the hard work, commitment and passion of our staff, we wouldn’t be the charity we are today. That’s why we are committed to rewarding you with a competitive pay and benefits package including:

• 34 days’ annual leave, including recognised public holidays
• Learning and development to support your career growth
• Nationally recognised qualifications, from entry‑level care to management
• Flexible working, with rotas provided in advance
• Occupational Sick Pay after two years, increasing with service
• Health Cash Plan after probation, offering at least £695 cashback for health treatments (dental, optical, therapies, maternity/paternity, prescriptions)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Free enhanced DBS check
• Dayforce Wallet, giving you access to your earnings before payday
• Employee referral scheme with financial rewards
• Employee Assistance Programme from day one, offering confidential 24/7 support
• Company pension scheme to help grow your retirement savings

We pride ourselves with being able to offer staff opportunities to develop and progress their careers within the Trust.