19th October 2026
Sanctuary Supported Living
Sophie, Project Worker, whose support has helped residents build confidence and achieve their goals.
Can you build a management career in supported housing? Sophie’s journey with Sanctuary Supported Living
When Sophie joined Sanctuary Supported Living as a Local Service Manager in our Ipswich Homelessness Service in February 2024, she was taking on her first management position.
Having previously worked in social care and the prison service, Sophie was looking for a new challenge with an organisation whose values matched her own.
“The values really stood out to me. I wanted the opportunity to develop as a manager while continuing to work with people and make a difference.”
What support do new managers receive?
Despite having no previous housing experience, Sophie quickly gained the knowledge and confidence she needed through a structured induction, a two-week handover and support from colleagues across the area.
She visited other services to learn from different approaches, while fellow Local Service Managers spent time at her services to share feedback and best practice.
“The amount of support I had was fantastic. There was always someone I could go to for guidance, and I had opportunities to visit other services and learn how they worked.
“That helped me feel confident and capable in my role from the beginning.”
What is it like managing supported housing services?
As a Local Service Manager, Sophie is responsible for the day-to-day running of supported housing services, leading teams to deliver high-quality support while ensuring services are safe, compliant and focused on helping people achieve their goals. The role combines people leadership, operational management and customer-focused support, giving managers the opportunity to make a real difference both to their teams and to the people they work with.
Sophie now manages a range of supported housing services in Ipswich, including accommodation for young people and adults, alongside services connected to mental health and learning needs.
Her experience has shown her the difference that supportive leadership can make, particularly when teams are helping people through complex situations.
“A good manager can make such a difference. I want my team to know that I’ll support them, work alongside them and never ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”
"I want my team to know that I’ll support them"
One of the most rewarding parts of Sophie’s role is seeing her team work together to help customers build confidence and prepare for greater independence.
Many of the young people supported by the service arrive with limited connections and little community support. Over time, Sophie has seen customers improve their confidence, complete college qualifications, explore employment and develop the practical skills needed to manage their own tenancy.
“You can see how much people grow during their time with us. Former customers come back to tell us how they’re doing because they’re proud of how far they’ve come. That shows us we’ve made a real difference.”
How can you develop your leadership skills in supported housing?
Since joining Sanctuary Supported Living, Sophie has grown significantly in confidence and is already preparing for the next stage of her career.
She has a succession plan in place with the ambition of becoming an Area Service Manager. Sophie is completing a Level 3 housing qualification and is enrolled on a Level 3 management programme, while also exploring further leadership development opportunities.
Through regular one-to-ones, Sophie and her manager are identifying areas where she can gain more experience and build the knowledge needed for a future Area Service Manager role.
“When I look back at where I started and where I am now, I’m a completely different person. I have much more confidence, I feel more capable in my role and I’m already a better manager than I thought I could be.
“I’m really excited about where my succession plan is going and what the future could hold.”
Sophie’s advice to anyone considering their next career move is not to let self-doubt stand in their way.
“If you have the right goals, determination and support around you, you can make things happen. Keep pushing yourself because you might be capable of more than you realise.”
How can you build your career with Sanctuary Supported Living?
Whether you are taking your first step into supported housing or looking for an opportunity to develop as a leader, Sanctuary Supported Living can help you build your skills, grow your confidence and work towards your career ambitions.
Search and apply for your next role with Sanctuary Supported Living today.
