Job Introduction
Exciting opportunity to join our Sheltered Housing service as a Service Support Manager and really make a difference! This is a Fixed Term Contract/Secondment until 30th August 2027, and the role is full-time.
Your new role
The overall purpose of Sheltered Housing is to provide the right accommodation and support when needed. Sheltered Housing promote independent living for residents, with the reassurance that someone is on hand to give support and to help in an emergency. Residents have their own tenancy agreement with Portsmouth City Council therefore residents are able to live independently in their own accommodation, but with support available as needed. There are shared areas in the sheltered scheme in which residents can meet and enjoy some social activities.
As a service we take pride in making a positive difference in helping our residents maintain their independence in their homes. The Service Support Manager role is a crucial one in ensuring that we can meet our purpose. Portsmouth City Council is looking for a professional, caring and organised Category 1 Sheltered Housing Support Manager to support a team of 8, supporting older residents to live safely and independently in their own homes.
You will work directly with your team, residents, their families, colleagues and partner agencies to identify support needs, respond to concerns, promote wellbeing and help residents access the right services at the right time. Please see the full job profile attached at the bottom of this page for all details of this rewarding role!
Who is the person?
You need to:
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Have experience of working directly (face to face) with people, ideally older or vulnerable adults.
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Have an understanding of the impact of physical and mental health issues experienced by older persons.
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Be a good listener with a calm manner, with the ability to converse at ease with customers and staff and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
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Have the ability to manage staff, lead a team and support their learning.
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Have the confidence to work proactively with other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for residents and speak up where necessary.
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Have the ability and skills to effectively organise and deploy staff resources during periods of both high and low demand.
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Be confident at building professional relationships with your team, residents, family members
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Have an awareness of the importance of confidentiality when working with residents, in particular regards to GDPR requirements.
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Be a strong team player and willing to support those in your team when they are facing challenges.
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Have an understanding of the need for you and your team to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents at all times.
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Have an understanding of the role of Social Services, Health Services and voluntary agencies in the provision of services to people and be able to work with them with the purpose of achieving the best outcome for service users.
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Have good written skills as you will need to be able to write concise notes in residents files, respond to complaints and compile reports, for example in relation to Safeguarding matters and or staffing issues.
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Have the ability to prioritise workloads and self-manage your time effectively to meet the different areas of the role.
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Have basic IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Outlook and Word/Excel and be able to use in house databases as required.
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Hold a full UK Driving License and have access to a vehicle during working hours.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
As part of Local Government Reorganisation, current plans will see Portsmouth City Council combine with the district and borough councils of Fareham, Gosport and Havant and parts of East Hampshire and Winchester district councils to form a new, larger unitary authority for south east Hampshire.
We are working towards an implementation date of 1st April 2028, known as vesting day, subject to Parliamentary approval. Until then, we remain focused on maintaining continuity, supporting our workforce, and continuing to deliver excellent services to our residents throughout the transition to the new unitary authority.
This is an exciting time to join us, offering the opportunity to contribute to organisational transformation, develop your career, and help shape future services for our communities.
More information about Local Government Reorganisation can be found on our website: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/your-council/devolution-and-lgr/
Additional Information
If you would like to find out more about this role, please call Nicola Stone on 07584 115992.
Interviews/assessments: 29th July 2026
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your personal statement on the application.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board safer recruitment procedures.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact [email protected] or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
If you need additional support looking for roles, you may be eligible for help under our Connect to Work programme, for more information please visit Connect to Work - Portsmouth City Council
