Graduate Management Programme

Job description

Job IntroductionJob Title: Graduate Management Trainee

Location: Southampton / Windsor / Swindon / Newark

Contract: Permanent

Duration: 3‐year structured development programme

Salary: £32k (with structured uplifts throughout programme – £33,000 after 6 months and £35,000 upon completion of L5 qualification)

Are you seeking a graduate programme in a sector that delivers real social value?

Do you want to develop your leadership skills while improving lives and strengthening communities?

Are you ready to fast‐track into a management career where every decision truly matters?

We're Choice Care – and we're here to support you to build a leadership career that matters.

Our Graduate Management Programme is designed to develop values‐led individuals and graduate them into the next generation of leaders across our services. This is a hands‐on, immersive programme where you'll learn by doing, take on real responsibility, and build the skills to lead services that make a genuine difference to people's lives.

The graduate programme

Working directly in services from the start

Supporting teams and learning how to lead in real environments

Building relationships with the people we support

Taking on increasing responsibility as you grow

We'll support you, stretch you, and invest in you – but you'll be expected to step up and take ownership of your development.

We're looking for people who:

Want to build a career in leadership, not just a job

Are motivated by making a difference in people's lives

Are resilient, adaptable, and willing to step outside their comfort zone

Can build strong relationships and communicate effectively

Are aligned with our values and approach to care

Are willing to work across different services and locations

What's in it for you?

A structured 3‐year accelerated leadership programme

A permanent role from day one

A Level 5 Diploma in Adult Care

Experience across a range of services including Learning Disability, Mental Health, and Supported Living

Exposure to specialist areas such as Quality, Referrals and Positive Behaviour Support

Insight into how the wider organisation works, including HR, Estates and central support teams

Ongoing coaching, feedback and development

A clear pathway towards Service Manager roles

What you'll be doing?

Lead teams and support staff to deliver high‐quality care

Manage the day‐to‐day running of services

Make decisions in complex and fast‐paced environments

Understand and maintain high standards of quality and safety

Respond to challenges and drive improvements

Over time, you'll take on more responsibility and begin to operate with increasing independence.

Where this will take you?

By the end of the programme, you'll have the experience, confidence, and qualification to apply for Service Manager roles within Choice. From there, your progression is in your hands, just like the many leaders across our organisation who started in frontline roles.

Why Choice?

We are a values‐led organisation focused on delivering high‐quality, person‐centred support. We invest in our people, we grow our own leaders, and we create opportunities for progression. This programme is about building the future of our organisation and giving you the opportunity to be part of it.

Enhanced holiday entitlement (31 days)

Employee Assistance Programme

Paid day off on your birthday

Blue Light Card eligibility

Christmas bonus – vouchers for all staff members

Annual staff awards

Financial wellbeing app – Stream

Refer a friend scheme

Choiceversary

What's next?

Apply online today. Our recruitment process includes a video interview, psychometric testing and a final stage interview/assessment. Opportunities to start with us from August/September 2026.

Any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory DBS clearance and suitable references.

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Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Southampton

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

21-05-2026

Profession type

Management

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English