DEPUTY MANAGER / SERVICE LEAD – THERAPEUTIC RECOVERY SERVICE
Location:
Stonebridge Communities – The Links
Weston-super-Mare
Salary:
£35,000 – £40,000 per year (depending on experience)
Job Type:
Full-time, Permanent
Progression:
Opportunity to progress towards Registered Manager for the right candidate
About the Role
Stonebridge Communities is recruiting a Deputy Manager / Service Lead to support the day-to-day leadership of The Links, our structured residential therapeutic recovery service in Weston-super-Mare.
This is a hands-on leadership role within a therapeutic community environment. The service supports individuals in recovery and requires a balance of strong operational leadership, emotional intelligence, clear boundaries and an understanding of complex behaviour and group dynamics.
This is not a standard care management role.
We are looking for someone who can confidently lead staff, maintain the structure and culture of the service, manage safeguarding and risk, and work alongside the therapeutic team to create a safe, consistent and recovery-focused environment.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Registered Manager and senior leadership team and will have the opportunity to develop towards Registered Manager responsibilities as the service grows.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and oversee the day-to-day running of the service
- Maintain structure, routine, boundaries and accountability across the programme
- Lead, supervise and support the staff team
- Manage incidents, safeguarding concerns, risk and escalation appropriately
- Support residents presenting with complex emotional and behavioural needs
- Help maintain a calm, safe and therapeutically informed environment
- Support and contribute to community meetings, structured groups and recovery activities
- Work collaboratively with therapists and recovery staff
- Contribute to admissions, reviews, care planning and resident progression
- Monitor resident engagement, behaviour, wellbeing and risk
- Maintain accurate documentation and high standards of record keeping
- Support quality assurance, audits and service improvement
- Work within CQC frameworks, company policies and regulatory expectations
- Liaise effectively with external professionals and partner agencies
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the therapeutic community model
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience within residential recovery, addiction, mental health, complex care or a similar environment
- Has experience leading or supervising staff
- Is confident managing challenging behaviour, conflict and emotionally complex situations
- Can maintain clear boundaries while building strong relationships with residents
- Has strong safeguarding and risk-management awareness
- Is calm, grounded and decisive under pressure
- Understands the importance of structure, consistency and accountability in recovery
- Can work collaboratively with therapeutic and clinical professionals
- Has the confidence to help hold a service when residents or staff are experiencing difficulties
- Is interested in developing within a therapeutic community model
Experience within addiction recovery or therapeutic services is highly desirable, although we also welcome strong candidates from mental health, social work or complex behavioural settings who can demonstrate transferable experience.
Essential Requirements
- Experience in a senior, supervisory or management role within care, recovery, mental health, supported living or a related service
- Strong safeguarding and risk-management experience
- Experience supporting staff and managing challenging situations
- Ability to take responsibility for service structure and day-to-day decision-making
- Strong communication, organisational and documentation skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Previous Deputy Manager, Service Lead or Registered Manager experience
- Experience within addiction treatment or recovery services
- Knowledge and experience of CQC-regulated services
- Experience within a therapeutic community or residential rehabilitation setting
- Experience facilitating or supporting groups and community meetings
- Social work, counselling, psychology, mental health or Health & Social Care qualification
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care or willingness to work towards an appropriate management qualification
What We Offer
- £35,000 – £40,000 salary depending on experience
- Opportunity to play a key role in developing a therapeutic recovery community
- Progression towards Registered Manager responsibilities for the right candidate
- Support from senior leadership and the wider clinical and therapeutic team
- Training and professional development
- Opportunity to influence the ongoing development of the service
- Meaningful work within an established recovery organisation
About Stonebridge Communities
Stonebridge Communities provides structured residential recovery environments designed to support individuals in building stability, accountability, emotional regulation and sustainable long-term recovery.
The Links in Weston-super-Mare is being developed around a therapeutic community approach, combining strong structure and boundaries with meaningful therapeutic and recovery work.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £40,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
