Alexandra Wellbeing House is a unique mental health retreat service delivered by Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind in partnership with Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust. We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Service Manager to lead this innovative service supporting adults experiencing acute emotional distress and helping prevent unnecessary inpatient admissions.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape and develop a recovery-focused service that provides short-term, person-centred support within a safe and welcoming environment. You will lead a dedicated multidisciplinary team while working closely with NHS partners, Crisis Teams, Community Mental Health Teams and third-sector organisations to strengthen pathways and improve outcomes for people experiencing mental ill health.
We are looking for a confident and values-driven leader with experience in mental health services, team management, partnership working and service development. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving continuous improvement, supporting staff wellbeing and ensuring high-quality, compassionate care for everyone accessing the service.
In return, we offer a supportive and forward-thinking working environment, regular supervision, ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to make a genuine difference within local communities across Gloucestershire.
Main duties of the job
The Service Manager will provide operational leadership for Alexandra Wellbeing House, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality and person-centred mental health support for adults experiencing emotional distress.
The postholder will lead and manage a team of practitioners and counsellors, providing supervision, guidance and support to maintain excellent standards of care and service delivery. They will work collaboratively with Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust, Crisis Teams, Community Mental Health Teams and wider community partners to strengthen referral pathways and improve access to support.
The role includes overseeing day-to-day service operations, managing risk and safeguarding processes, monitoring service performance and outcomes, responding to feedback, and contributing to the ongoing development of the service. The Service Manager will also support partnership working, service improvement initiatives and reporting requirements, while promoting a positive, recovery-focused and trauma-informed culture throughout the service.
The role includes participation in an on-call rota and requires regular on-site working within Gloucestershire.
About us
Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind provides advice, support and services to empower anyone in our local communities experiencing a mental health problem. We work to promote recovery, improve wellbeing, raise awareness and challenge stigma surrounding mental health.
Our vision is that everyone experiencing a mental health problem receives both support and respect. We are committed to creating services where people are recognised, valued and supported.
By joining us, you will become part of a compassionate, skilled and dedicated organisation that places people at the centre of everything we do. Our teams work collaboratively across mental health, wellbeing and community services to make a meaningful difference across Swindon and Gloucestershire.
We are proud of our supportive workplace culture, where staff wellbeing, reflective practice and professional development are encouraged. We value collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement while maintaining a strong commitment to safe, person-centred and recovery-focused support.
Our values underpin all aspects of our work: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.
Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected and supported to thrive.
Job responsibilities
The Service Manager will provide operational leadership for Alexandra Wellbeing House, a short-term mental health retreat service delivered by Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind in partnership with Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust. The service supports adults aged 18+ experiencing acute emotional distress and aims to provide earlier intervention, prevent escalation to crisis and reduce the need for inpatient admission.
The successful candidate will lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of practitioners and counsellors to deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred support within a welcoming and recovery-focused environment.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading the day-to-day operational management of Alexandra Wellbeing House.
* Providing leadership, supervision, support and development to staff and volunteers.
* Ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred and trauma-informed mental health support.
* Working collaboratively with Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust, Crisis Teams, Community Mental Health Teams, Emergency Department teams and third-sector partners to strengthen referral pathways and improve outcomes.
* Supporting the ongoing development and enhancement of the service in collaboration with senior leadership and external partners.
* Managing safeguarding, risk assessment and incident reporting processes in line with organisational policies and procedures.
* Monitoring service quality, performance and outcomes, including producing reports for commissioners and stakeholders.
* Reviewing feedback from people accessing the service to support continuous improvement and best practice.
* Promoting a positive, inclusive and supportive culture for both staff and people using the service.
* Ensuring compliance with health and safety, data protection, safeguarding and organisational policies.
* Supporting partnership working, networking and promotion of the service across Gloucestershire.
The role requires strong leadership, communication and organisational skills, alongside experience of managing mental health or wellbeing services and working collaboratively across statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
The postholder will participate in an on-call rota and will be required to work on site within Gloucestershire. Travel across the county may also be required.
Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Person Specification
Experience
* * Experience leading or managing a mental health, wellbeing or social care service.
* * Experience managing, supervising and supporting staff teams, including performance management and professional development.
* * Experience working with people experiencing mental ill health or acute emotional distress.
* * Experience managing high-pressure situations, risk and safeguarding concerns.
* * Experience working collaboratively with NHS services, statutory organisations and third-sector partners.
* * Experience monitoring service quality, outcomes and performance reporting.
* * Experience leading or managing a counselling or therapeutic service.
* * Experience providing clinical supervision to counsellors or therapeutic practitioners.
* * Experience contributing to service development, quality improvement or commissioning requirements.
* * Experience working within crisis prevention, recovery or community mental health services.
Qualifications
* * GCSE/O Level (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
* * Evidence of relevant professional development in mental health, health and social care, counselling, leadership or service management.
* * Degree or Diploma in a relevant health or social care subject, such as Psychology, Counselling, Social Work or Mental Health.
* * Accredited professional qualification or membership with a recognised professional body (e.g. HCPC, NMC, BACP, UKCP, CMI or equivalent).
* * Qualification in clinical supervision.
Additional Criteria
* * Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.
* * Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
* * Commitment to person-centred, trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.
* * Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.
* * Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and health and safety responsibilities.
* * Ability to travel across Gloucestershire and participate in an on-call rota.
* * Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
* * Knowledge of local mental health pathways and services across Gloucestershire.
* * Understanding of psychoeducational and wellbeing-based approaches to recovery.
* * Experience using data recording and case management systems.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Director, Assurance, Improvement and Glos Services
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