Deputy Hostel Manager (Senior Practitioner)

Every day at our Robertson Street hostel, people arrive at a crossroads in their lives. Some have been sleeping rough. Some are leaving hospital, prison or other forms of temporary accommodation. Many are facing challenges with their mental health, substance use, trauma or isolation. What they have in common is the need for stability, support and the opportunity to move forward.

As Deputy Hostel Manager, you'll lead a dedicated team helping people take that next step.

About us

Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in and around London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels. We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless. We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track. We help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities.

Is our mission easy? No, but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people. 

Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We’re listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK. There’s no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.

About the role
Robertson Street is a 42-bed hostel that provides a safe place for people to stay while they plan their next move towards independent living. As the Deputy Hostel Manager, you'll be responsible for creating an environment where both residents and employees can thrive. You'll lead a skilled and committed team, ensuring people receive the support they need to move on successfully and build more stable futures.

This is a role for someone who combines strong operational leadership with genuine compassion. Someone who can keep a complex service running effectively while never losing sight of the people at the heart of it.

Working closely with the Lead Manager and in-house Clinical Psychologist, you'll help shape a positive, psychologically informed culture where employees feel supported, residents feel respected and everyone is working towards better outcomes.

Your main responsibilities:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of a busy 42-bed hostel.
• Support residents to move on to more independent accommodation and achieve positive next steps.
• Develop, motivate and manage a team through supervision, coaching and performance management.
• Oversee referrals into and out of the service, ensuring people access the right support at the right time.
• Build strong partnerships with housing providers, local authorities, healthcare services and other agencies across London.
• Ensure the service remains safe, responsive and effective through strong oversight of incidents, safeguarding and health and safety processes.

About you

We're looking for a confident and compassionate leader who believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to move beyond homelessness. You'll bring:

• Experience of delivering positive outcomes and supporting people through change.
• Experience of managing a complex service within homelessness, housing, health, social care or a related field.
• Strong leadership skills and experience of managing, developing and supporting employees.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with colleagues, partners and people using services.
• Confidence making decisions, managing competing priorities and leading in a fast-paced environment.
• An understanding of the challenges faced by people with multiple and complex needs, and a commitment to delivering person-centred support.

Why join Thames Reach?

This is an opportunity to lead a service that changes lives every day. You'll join an organisation that combines ambition with compassion and is committed to ending homelessness in London. You'll be supported to develop your career, contribute your ideas and make a meaningful difference to the lives of people who need it most.

We are proud to be recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces.

As part of our commitment to employees, we offer:

• Generous holiday allowance – 29 days per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata).  
• Pension – we contribute 6.5% to your pension when you contribute 1.5%. 
• Excellent development opportunities – career progression, regular supervision and appraisals, and learning programmes to support your career with Thames Reach. 
• Wellbeing support – our 24/7 employee assistance programme and opportunities for TOIL. 
• Life assurance – four times your annual salary and critical illness cover.
• Other benefits including a blue light discount card, interest free season ticket and cycle to work loans.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions.

To apply visit our website and complete our application form.

For further information please contact, Elinor Withington, Lead Manager (via our website).

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Closing date: 15 July 2026 at midnight. Interview date: 24th July 2026.