Deputy Manager Lead Practitioner

Salary

£39,500

Basis

Full Time

Job category/type

Charities

Date posted

27/10/2025

Job reference

REQ003965

Job title and organisation: Deputy Manager - Lead Practitioner - Progress to Change

Salary: £39,500 per annum

Hours: Full time

Contract: Permament

Location: Cardigan House and Ripon House Approved Premises, LS2 9NZ

Closing Date and Time: Monday 24 November 2025

Cardigan House and Ripon House Approved Premises, Leeds

Are you passionate about working with men and women involved in the Criminal Justice System? Do you want to work in a residential setting that provides an opportunity to really get to know and make a difference to those released from prison and subject to supervision in the community?

Progress To Change runs two Approved Premises (formerly known as Probation and Bail Hostels) in Leeds. Ripon House provides a service for women offenders and Cardigan House works with male offenders. Both Approved Premises (AP) operate alongside the National Probation Service (NPS) Approved Premises. Nationally there are fourteen APs that are independently managed. All APs operate to a national agreement / rules.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Manger will play a key role in supporting the Approved Premises (AP) Managers in the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring high standards of care, safety, and rehabilitation opportunities for residents. This includes overseeing staff support, organising shift coverage, coordinating training, and maintaining strong relationships with external partners. The role requires a proactive approach to resident engagement, activity planning, and staff development while working a variety of shifts, including weekends and late shifts.

The candidate will be required to work across two sites in Leeds.

Key Responsibilities

Staff Support & Rota Management

• Assist the AP Manager in organising and ensuring appropriate rota coverage, including managing last-minute changes.
• Provide day-to-day support to support staff, ensuring clear communication and guidance.
• Disseminate relevant information to staff to ensure smooth service operation.
• Support AP manager to develop good practice across the teams.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of risk of harm in the context of Approved Premises, contributing to effective public protection through informed decision-making, staff guidance, and adherence to safeguarding protocols.

Training & Development

• Ensure new team members receive appropriate induction and training.
• Deliver training sessions, including First Aid and other relevant development opportunities.
• Support continuous professional development for staff, ensuring a skilled and competent workforce.
• Co-ordinate the submission of Enabling Environments on-going award process.
• Support the AP manager in preparing for HMIP Inspections.

Meetings & Partnership Working

• Attend and contribute to Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) meetings and other relevant meetings as required by the AP Manager, within the MOJ
• Liaise with partner organisations, building and maintaining strong links with the local community to enhance support services.

Resident Engagement & Activities

• Liaise with the AP Manager and Activities co-ordinators to ensure a full calendar of activities is available for residents, promoting engagement and rehabilitation.
• Manage the activity calendar, coordinating and overseeing planned events and programmes.

Shift & Working Hours

• The role is primarily Mon-Fri office hours. However, there will be an expectation to provide some flexibility and work occasional evenings and weekends when business need requires.
• Provide hands-on support within the AP, ensuring a visible leadership presence.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience working within a criminal justice, supported housing or rehabilitation setting.
• Previous experience in a leadership or senior role within a similar setting.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to build effective partnerships with external organisations and community groups.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage staff and residents effectively.
• This role is mainly Monday to Friday, but we do ask for a bit of flexibility. Occasionally, there may be a couple of later evenings and some part-day weekend work, depending on business needs.

Desirable Criteria:

• Relevant qualifications in criminal justice or social care or a related field.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Experience delivering training.
• Understanding of Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) in the workplace.
• Understanding of Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) in the workplace.
• Relevant qualifications in social care, criminal justice, or a related field.

Closing date Midnight on Friday 18th July 2025

Interviews to be held 8th August 2025

Please email CV and covering letter to

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.

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