Service Manager HMP Highdown
Location: Surrey
Salary: £37,433 - £45,751 DOE
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Advertising End Date: 02 March 2026
About The Role
The Forward Trust delivers clinical and psychosocial substance misuse services across Surrey prisons, working in close partnership with NHS healthcare providers. Our services are rooted in a trauma-informed, gender-responsive Health & Wellbeing framework, supporting people to build recovery, resilience and positive futures.
We are looking for a Service Manager to lead our service at HMP Highdown in Sutton, Surrey, a Category C men’s training and resettlement prison with a diverse and complex population.
About the role
Based on site, you’ll lead a skilled multi-disciplinary team delivering recovery-focused psychosocial and clinical interventions to adults aged 18+. Collaboration is key – you’ll work closely with prison staff, healthcare, mental health services and external partners to ensure joined-up care.
Key responsibilities
*Line manage and support Team Leaders within the service
*Contribute to strategic development and Forward Trust’s business plan alongside the Regional Manager
*Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across the prison and partner agencies
*Produce performance reports for commissioners and attend contract meetings
*Ensure accurate data submission, audit compliance and adherence to CQC standards
This is a CQC registered service, and you’ll be expected to take on the role of CQC Registered Manager following probation (or an agreed timescale).
If you’re a confident leader with a passion for recovery-oriented, trauma-informed services and thrive in complex environments, we’d love to hear from you.
All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.
Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
*Flexible working
*Training and development opportunities
*Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
*Season Ticket Loan Scheme
*Cycle to work scheme
*Crisis Loan Scheme
*Electric Car Scheme
*3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata’d for part time employees)
*Access to Blue Light Card
*25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
*Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
*Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
*Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Diversity at Forward Trust
The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ’Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness.
When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.
If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ’Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.