Life assurance
hybrid and flexible working
Pension scheme

Area Manager - Mental Health Service

Salary £40,000 rising to £43,912 after 5 years' service
Location Canterbury
Mergefield Title {Mergefield Value}
Mergefield Title {Mergefield Value}

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

Porchlight is looking for an experienced and compassionate Area Manager to lead the delivery and development of our internal Live Well Kent and Medway (LWKM) services and related support services, including domestic abuse support and work focused on the alleviation of poverty.

This is a key leadership role within our mental health provision. You will provide strong operational oversight across a range of community-based services, ensuring they are safe, person-centred, trauma-informed and delivered to a consistently high standard. Working closely with service managers, internal teams, commissioners, voluntary sector partners and statutory agencies, you will help ensure that people experiencing mental health challenges, domestic abuse, financial hardship or multiple disadvantage receive coordinated and effective support.

You will be responsible for supporting service performance, quality assurance, safeguarding practice, contract compliance and continuous improvement. You will also play an important role in developing staff, strengthening partnerships and identifying opportunities to improve outcomes for people using our services.

We are looking for someone with proven experience of managing mental health or related support services, including leading teams through complexity and change. You will understand the impact of trauma, poverty, domestic abuse and social exclusion, and you will be confident using data, insight and partnership working to improve service delivery. Excellent communication, judgement and organisational skills are essential, alongside a clear commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and recovery-focused practice.

In return, you will join a values-led organisation committed to making a lasting difference in people’s lives. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated manager to shape high-quality services, support dedicated teams and contribute to Porchlight’s mission to help people live safely, independently and with hope for the future.

This role requires:

  • Leadership experience
  • Strong influencing, relationship management and communication skills
  • Experience of performance and risk management of complex services and contracts
  • Strong strategic skills, with the ability to align and develop services to support the charity’s ambitions and plans.
  • A commitment to the values that underpin all of Porchlight’s work.
  • Experience of the housing and social care landscape will be helpful but we’re looking for the right person and will invest in your professional development with ongoing training and learning opportunities.

Porchlight is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.  

Working pattern: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday with some flexibility required.  

Location type: On-site 

Contract type: Permanent 

Interview date: 13th August 2026

Our application form and interview process have been designed to assess your transferable skills rather than direct experience. This helps remove barriers for people who may have the right values, abilities, and potential but may not have formal experience in the role they’re applying for. We actively encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Please have a look at the application guidance and job description at the bottom of the page to give you the best chance of being shortlisted. 

For further information about the role, or to have an informal chat with the recruiting manager, please contact Pam Burniston on 07921 605849 or email pamburniston@porchlight.org.uk.  

For any further information regarding the application process please contact hr@porchlight.org.uk  

 

Porchlight is a charity supporting people who are homeless, vulnerable, and isolated. At Porchlight, we are passionate about helping vulnerable people to reach their full potential. We strive for a fairer society where vulnerable people find stability, the most excluded are included, and where homelessness and poverty are things of the past.

Porchlight is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Porchlight is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Generous annual leave entitlements

Generous pension scheme

Occupational sick pay

Occupational maternity and support pay

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

Access to mental health first aiders

Sponsorship for professional qualifications

Staff loans

Hybrid and flexible working

Life assurance

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