RPW JD & PS
Post Title
/ Refuge Property WorkerSalary Scale/Hours
/ £18, 345 (35 Hours)Contract Type
/ 1 year Fixed TermReporting Base
/ Hamilton (will operate across South Lanarkshire area)Reporting line:
Organisational Purpose:
Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire (WASLER) is a voluntary organisation providing Refuge accommodation, support, information and advice to the women, children and young people of South Lanarkshire who are currently experiencing, or have experienced, domestic abuse. WASLER works with children, young people and women to support improved outcomes. WASLER reflects the complexity and range of services required to meet the national and local agendas for women, children and young people exposed to the issues of domestic abuse.
Team Responsibilities:
Refuge accommodation for women, children and young people operates within the context of legislative frameworks and national policy drivers and local priorities. The aim of the service is to ensure the well-being of women, children and young people requiring temporary accommodation as a result of domestic abuse, ensuring that they receive the support essential to their safety, health, future opportunities and economic well-being.
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Job Purpose:
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the refuge accommodation is managed to a high standard, is fit for purpose and safe.
The role involves managing of void properties, completion of all health safety, reporting/managing repairs, general admin duties, replenishing of refuge stock and all cleaning duties.
Key duties and responsibilities:
1. Responsible for managing Refuge housing, in accordance with WASLER’s operational policies and procedures.
2. To welcome new arrivals and provide a thorough introduction and orientation to the accommodation, complete inventory at entry point and exit point. Meet with service users prior to leaving refuge to explain exit procedures linked to refuge property.
3. To ensure that the Refuges provide a safe, supportive and welcoming environment in compliance with Housing Law, Regulations and the requirements of Registered Social Landlords and the Local Authority Housing Department.
4. To contribute to WASLER’s aims and objectives by developing effective partnerships and good links within the area, including with outside agencies and organisations including Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords.
5. To attend Refuge Team Meetings and participate fully in the supervision process with the Refuge Team Leader. When required, to provide cover for WASLER colleagues in order that the needs of the service are met.
6. To support the Team Manager to ensure efficient management of rent collections and voids ensuring that all financial processes are undertaken in accordance with Refuge’s financial procedures.
7. To ensure the highest standard of accommodation is achieved and that housing maintenance tasks are regularly carried out.
8. To support and participate in the continuous improvement of the services; through bi-monthly supervision meetings, annual appraisals and performance management.
9. To participate in ongoing training and development.
10. To produce housing management records that are kept to the required standard to ensure quality service provision and clarity and accuracy for monitoring purposes.
11. To ensure regular Health and Safety and Risk Assessment Procedures are carried out and hold responsibility for Health and Safety on sites.
12. To maintain confidentiality of women, children and young people living in the Refuges and accessing services, and ensure that all confidentiality agreements are signed. Always maintaining professional boundaries when working with service users, staff and external bodies, working within WASLER and SWA Code of Conduct.
13. To work within a line management structure and to report immediately any problems / difficulties/ complaints to the Team Manager or CEO and participate in any follow up investigations as required.
14. Liaison with key partners and agencies to ensure effective working relationships and information exchange in relation to property management.
15. Knowledge and experience of Child Protection and Child Protection reporting to statutory agencies.
16. Any other aspect commensurate with the role and as requested by the Team Leader and/or CEO.
General Information/Organisation Responsibilities:
1. To undertake such duties as may be commensurate with the grade of the post.
2. To ensure that the organisation’s Health & Safety policy is followed and training is undertaken in all pertinent health and safety procedures.
3. To partake in the organisation’s staff training and development policies.
4. To treat all information gathered, either electronically or manually, in a confidential manner.
5. To demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equal rights both in relation to employee issues and service delivery, and adhere to the policies of WASLER in the performance of duties.
6. To be responsible for identifying and managing all risks associated with the job role through effective application of internal controls and risk assessments to support the achievement of Corporate and Service objectives.
7. To ensure the highest standards of customer care are met at all times.
8. To ensure the principles of Best Value in service delivery are fundamental in all aspects of involvement with internal and external customers.
9. To participate in WASLER’s system of performance appraisal.
10. To ensure that the highest standards of data quality are achieved and maintained for the collection, management and use of data.
11. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. It will be necessary for a Disclosure to be made to Disclosure Scotland for details of any previous criminal convictions.
12. Schedule 9 Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies to this post
Last Updated: September 2015
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RPW JD & PS
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE / SALARYRefuge Property Worker / £18,345 (35 Hours)
NOTE TO APPLICANTS
Whilst all points on the specification are important, those listed in the essential column are the key requirements. You should pay particular attention to those points and provide evidence of meeting them. Failure to do so may mean that you will not be invited for interview.
CRITERIA /
NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS
/ Essential / DesirableEXPERIENCE / · Knowledge/Experience of the causes and issues relating to domestic abuse and sexual violence
· Experience of assessing risks in a property setting and managing properties following health and safety legislation.
· Experience of working within teams
· Experience of working in women’s Refuge/residential, health and/or community setting
· Experience of preparing reports and keeping accurate records.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES / · Problem Solving Skills
· Cleaning skills
· Understanding of maintenance and managing properties/turnaround of properties
· Good communication and negotiation skills
· Good presentation and interpersonal skills
· Ability to gain the confidence of people at all organisational levels
· Ability to prioritise tasks and manage input form partner agencies effectively
· Ability to communicate WASLER’s feminist philosophy and inspire staff and others about WASLER’s mission
· Sound knowledge of child protection issues and safeguarding vulnerable adults and the related statutory accountabilities
· The ability to work in a hierarchical structure
· The ability to establish good working relationships with housing departments, housing associations and other key agencies and the ability to negotiate effectively with these agencies
· A methodical and well-organised approach to workload
· Knowledge of the range of housing management responsibilities including preventing rent arrears, eviction, health and safety, housing, legal and welfare rights of women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse and of working in multi-agency partnerships
· Computer literate and the ability to collect data
EDUCATION/ QUALIFICATIONS/ KNOWLEDGE / · Related Professional qualification
OTHER REQUIREMENTS / · Flexible approach to work by responding to the needs of the services including, at time, requirements to work beyond normal working hours
· A self starter, self motivated, highly organised and a flexible approach
· Strong team player, committed to an ethos of continuous improvement
· Ability to think operationally
· Ability to meet deadlines
· Report writing
· Tact and Discretion
· Focussed on positive outcomes for service user group
· Committed to the ethos of social inclusion and participation
· Full Driving Licence / · Knowledge of DIY and repairs
COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES / · Commitment to equal opportunities
COMMITMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY/ CUSTOMER CARE / · Provide evidence of linking day to day duties to performance management
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