JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Service Manager

Accountable to:Deputy Head of Services

Job Summary:Management of projects and support to staff and clients

To provide housing management and support services to homeless clients, including ex-offenders in order to enable them to maintain their licences and resettle to appropriate accommodation in the community in due course.

Duties

  1. Managing the ‘end to end’ resettlement journey from supported to independent living.
  2. Developing professional key-working relationships with clients through provision of appropriate information, advice and guidance across the range of life, financial and social skills
  3. Encouraging clients to develop their independent living skills at a pace that is realistic, achievable and sustainable in the long term, such that incidents of repeat offending and homelessness are mitigated against.
  4. Preparing and reviewing individual support-plans and risk management assessments with clients in order to maximise their chance of achieving independent living in settled accommodation that is sustainable, of a decent quality and affordable
  5. Keeping comprehensive and appropriate client records that are up-to-date and securely held to ensure Pathways is compliant with the requirements of any funding regimes, Data Protection requirements and contractual obligations, e.g. Supporting People
  6. Ensuring that advice is available to clients on employment opportunities, education and training opportunities. Establish and maintain contact with other organisations such as Probation Service, Drug and Alcohol treatment providers, counselling agencies etc. to provide information and assistance to clients as required. Liaise with local providers and collect information to be held in project.
  1. To issue Licence Agreements and Notices to Terminateensuring clients fully understand their rights and responsibilities as well as the consequences of not complying with them.
  1. Liaising with central office on matters from client referral to move-on. Ensure outcomes are reported to central office and necessary confirmation letters sent.
  1. Ensuring that the Head of Services or her deputies (and other staff as necessary) are appraised of all relevant developments at the accommodation service in a timely manner, including internal reporting of incidents.
  1. Ensuring Housing Benefit is claimed and received for each resident and monitor changes in benefit entitlement, liaising with DWP officers and Pathways’ Income Officer as necessary.
  1. Collect and record payments of charges, including deduction consents and keep regular and accurate records of income and expenditure i.e. petty cash records for completion of accounts returns.
  1. Manage the houses, ensuring rules and terms and conditions of occupancy are adhered to. Liaising with external landlords where required.
  1. Ensuring that the housesare kept clean and tidy. Carry out regular general inspections, assessing need for repair and redecoration and routine maintenance. Room clearances when required.
  1. Ensuring that the Health and Safety Policy is followed and related tasks undertaken. Take action in case of accidents, injury or illness of residents. Complete accident and incident reports and inform the Head of Services immediately.
  1. Ensuring that clients are aware of and adhere to the Equal Opportunities Policy and encourage and promote equality and diversity and the elimination of discrimination and harassment.
  2. Maintaininga professional approach at all times when liaising with other specialist and statutory agencies in relation to a) the charity’s work generally , and b) individual clients’ support needs that require specialist intervention
  3. To provide out-of-hours support to clients where emergency assistance is required.
  1. To provide cover at other services on a rota as required due to staff absence.
  1. To identify and report to management any safeguarding concerns.
  1. Carry out other duties as may reasonably be required of the post holder.
  2. To attend training around professional development as identified.
  3. To adhere to Pathways policies and procedures at all times and uphold the organisation’s reputation, aims and values in all aspects of service delivery.
  4. To participate constructively and support all colleagues, including volunteers and work placements, such that the overall work of the team is fully maximised.

Person Specification

Experienceand Knowledge - Essential

  • Previousexperience of delivering a supported housing service to vulnerable single adults.
  • Driving licence and use of car.

Experience and Knowledge - Desirable

  • Experience of working in other adult support settings
  • Client consultation and use of feedback.
  • Health and Safety requirements and checks.
  • Housing management experience.
  • Knowledge of criminal justice processes.
  • Knowledge of other community support services e.g. substance misuse or mental health.
  • Knowledge of equality and diversity requirements and promotion.

Skills and Abilities

  • Good organisational and time planning skills to manage a varied workload.
  • A good understanding of the needs and risks of working with ex- offenders, including high risk offenders.
  • Ability to undertake support planning and risk assessments.
  • Ability to work under pressure at times and to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to use electronic communication and information systems including In Form or other on-line databases.
  • Sound technical skills and knowledge in the areas covered by the duties and responsibilities of this post.
  • Good English and Maths.
  • Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with people throughout the organisation including managers, staff and clients.
  • The proven ability to meet service standards in line with the requirements of monitoring authorities (i.e QAF) and national legislation.

Values

A commitment to playing a part in the delivery of quality services to vulnerable people which meets and responds to their reasonable needs and aspirations, and with the organisation’s performance against these objectivestested by external quality accreditations and annual surveys of stakeholders, residents and staff.

25 Victoria Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1XJ
Tel: 01634 819649 Fax: 01634 405329