Head of operations and programmes jobs in Manchester

Progression Coach

You will be joining a very tight-knit and supportive team that works tirelessly to ensure some of the most vulnerable individuals are well-cared for.

Location: Manchester (GM Pathfinder)

Salary: £29,481 per annum

Closing Date: 12 July, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

Ready to help young people move forward with confidence? We’re seeking a proactive Progression Coach to support 18–25‑year‑olds at risk of homelessness to secure housing, stabilize finances and engage in work, learning or training. You’ll manage your own caseload, deliver tailored one‑to‑one support in the community, and use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles to build resilience, motivation and independence.

You’ll be confident working autonomously and collaboratively—creating robust risk assessments and outcomes‑focused support plans, recording impact clearly, and partnering with local services, landlords and community organisations to get results. Safeguarding, professionalism and reflective practice will sit at the heart of your work.

This role is ideal for someone with experience supporting vulnerable young people in fast‑paced environments, who believes in strengths‑based practice and positive change. In return, you’ll get ACT training, flexible hybrid working, strong supervision and the chance to make a real, measurable difference every day.

Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a full-time (37.5 hour per week), permanent role.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• You will support all clients to achieve their desired outcomes relating to accommodation, improved financial stability, improved social networks and improved engagement in meaningful activities

• You will record your work accurately and in a timely manner on our client database

• You will ensure the safety and wellbeing of clients at all times including ensuring that Safeguarding and emergency alert procedures are followed and managed appropriately, as laid out in Depaul’s Policy and Procedures

• You will carry a large caseload of clients and ensure each client receives personcentred, tailored support

• You will ensure every client in your caseload has a high-quality risk assessment and a SMART outcomes-based support plan that are regularly reviewed

• You will deliver one-to-one support in the local community and will occasionally facilitate group work

• You will proactively collaborate and promote multiagency working by leading on partnerships with local agencies including statutory teams, private landlords, third sector organisations and others, to support the wellbeing of Depaul clients in accordance with data protection and information sharing protocols

• You will be flexible, reflective and creative in your engagement with clients and personalise your support to them

• You will involve clients in the decisions made about them and encourage participation in Depaul’s wider community programme of activities

• You will engage in regular supervisions, appraisals, caseload reviews and team meetings with your line manager and the wider team

• You will work within the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and apply this to your daily work with young people and also within the team

• You will fully understand the requirements of the outcomes-based contract

• You will proactively engage with internal and external Evaluation teams to improve the service delivery

• You will work office hours but will need to maintain flexibility to meet the needs of your clients, which may mean working outside of these times

• You will undertake further duties as commensurate to the role, in line with Depaul Policies and Procedures and as identified by your line manager

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR FROM YOU

When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.

• Experience of working in a busy environment supporting young people who have experienced homelessness, mental ill health, substance misuse or limited access to opportunities

• Experience of managing a large caseload independently

• Experience of lone working in the community

• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills

• Experience of keeping records continuously up to date and accurate, logging information in a timely manner

• An understanding of and commitment to working in a strengths-based way

• Experience and understanding of Risk Assessments and Support Planning

• Experience and understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures

• Commitment to working in a manner, which promotes diversity and equality ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and dignity and no one suffers from discrimination

• Commitment to promoting an environment that has the highest regard for the Health and Safety of self and others

• Personal and professional integrity

• High level understanding of professional boundaries and ability to maintain boundaries

• Effective collaborative working and partnership building

• Ability to effectively reflect on own practices for ongoing learning and development

• Respect for the values and ethos of Depaul and its founding partners

What You’ll Receive

· Tailored training and development

· Flexible working options where suitable

· 26 days annual leave, rising with service

· Family friendly leave policies

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

· Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

· Cash health plan for you and your family

· Death in service benefit

· Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.