Floating Support Deputy Manager – HARP, Southend's Homeless Charity, Southend

Applicants for this position must be available for interview 18 November 2026.

HARP’s Floating Support service provides supported housing across a dispersed portfolio of properties in Southend and South Essex. There are offices in Westcliff-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea and you will be required to work from both as well as visiting the various supported housing sites.

Lead a service that helps people build and sustain a home. As Deputy Manager of HARP’s Floating Support service, you’ll guide a dedicated team, oversee safe and effective housing support across Southend and South Essex, and ensure residents receive consistent, trauma-informed help. This hands-on leadership role offers real operational responsibility, the chance to shape excellent practice and an opportunity to step up when the Service Manager is away.

• Level 3 qualification in housing, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. — Desirable


• Commitment and ability to complete a leadership and management qualification, supported by HARP. — Essential


• At least two years’ experience in supported housing, homelessness or a related frontline service, working with people facing multiple disadvantage. — Essential


• Experience of leading or coordinating the work of others, for example as a senior worker, shift lead or practice lead. — Essential


• Experience of risk assessment, support planning and safeguarding practice, including making referrals and working with multi-agency partners. — Essential


• Experience of formal line management, including supervision and appraisal. — Desirable


• Sound understanding of trauma-informed practice and PIE, and the ability to coach others to use it. — Essential


• Working knowledge of housing management in a supported housing setting: voids, repairs, rent and tenancy management. — Essential


• Strong recording and IT skills, including case management systems and spreadsheets, and the ability to write clear, accurate reports. — Essential


• Able to prioritise, make sound decisions under pressure and know when to escalate. — Essential


• Working knowledge of safeguarding legislation (including the Care Act 2014) and the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards. — Desirable


• A calm, steady presence who stays kind and clear in conflict or crisis. — Essential


• Honest and open about mistakes, and actively seeks and learns from feedback. — Essential


• A genuine commitment to people-first practice and belief in people’s capacity to change. — Essential


• Able to travel across dispersed sites in Southend and South Essex in a timely way. — Essential


• Lived experience of homelessness or related disadvantage. — Desirable