Refuge Service Manager

Based at our refuge within the Waverley Borough. For safeguarding purposes, we cannot disclose the exact location at this stage but we can provide a rough estimate on the distance/length of travel time if you can provide us with a postcode

Applicants will need to demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices. A full DBS check will be carried out for the successful applicant. Female applicants only, exemption under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1

Salary Range: £31,500-£35,300 – (Please be advised you are likely to begin on the lower end of the salary scale).

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday between core hours of 8.30am – 5.30pm

Accountable to: Head of Services (HOS)

Job Purpose

To ensure that the refuge is well managed and fulfils the aims and objectives of the constitution
To ensure that the needs of service users are met within a safe and hospitable environment
To perform the role of Safeguarding Lead for the site and report any safeguarding concerns to the Head of Services
To perform the role of the Child Protection lead for the site
Comprehensive and up to date knowledge of every resident’s case including background history and identify current or potential safeguarding risks
To be responsible for the On Call service
To be responsible for the management of the staff team and volunteers
To work with the Head of Services and CEO ensuring that the Refuge meets required standards
Forward potential funding opportunities to the CEO/Head of Services
Actively participate in generating income for I Choose Freedom
Application, monitoring and reporting on grants with the CEO/Head of Services
Fostering and maintaining relationships with local donators

Main duties and responsibilities

Staff

To provide leadership, direction and support to staff ensuring excellent management of the service, including direct line management of the team
To line manage staff by providing a safe and supportive environment for the well-being of women and children in the Refuge
To manage staff, including appropriate supervision, appraisals and assessment of training needs and reporting any concerns to the Head of Services
To organise recruitment and induction of staff, in conjunction with the Head of Services
In conjunction with the Head of Services carry out disciplinary reviews, probation reviews and performance reviews
To hold weekly staff meetings and report any concerns to the Head of Services
To organise and participate in the out of hours on call
Ensuring that women’s meetings, Freedom Programme, Counselling and individual support meetings are held
Oversight to ensure that the Children’s Service is providing adequate cover for support meetings and that therapy sessions are carried out
Monitoring and authorising the use of Children’s and Women’s funds within guidelines
Ensure that training and DBS checks are maintained in accordance with grant requirements
Managing staff annual leave and TOIL including requests and approvals for annual leave and TOIL and reporting any concerns to the Head of Services
Managing staff sickness and carrying out back to work interviews and reporting any concerns to the Head of Services
To provide ongoing management of volunteers including diary management and providing adequate supervision

Service Users

Ensuring the services work to Accreditation best standards set by Women’s aid federation England
To operate the admissions policy for prospective service users
To promote an organisational culture of engagement, improvement, reflection and best practice to deliver a high quality and accessible service
To carry out cautioning and eviction of service users, if necessary, following I Choose Freedom policies and reporting any concerns to the Head of Services
To be aware of the possibility of neglect or abuse, performing the role of Safeguarding lead for the site and reporting any concerns to the Head of Services
To work directly with service users when appropriate
Dealing with service user complaints and reporting any concerns to the Head of Services
To have knowledge of housekeeping and housing benefit for each client reporting any concerns to the Head of Services
To ensure that Domestic Abuse Refuge Advocates are made aware of outstanding payments and are issuing warnings as appropriateDealing with service user complaints and reporting any concerns to the Deputy CEO/Head of Services

Committee

To work with the Head of Services/CEO and Committee Directors in planning and developing services
To develop and implement policies and procedures, as agreed with the directors
Attending monthly committee meetings if required and preparing management reports for those meetings
Premises
To take responsibility for the cleanliness of the refuge including bedrooms, communal areas and gardens
To ensure that the Head of Operations is aware of any maintenance issues or issues that affect the upkeep of the refuge

Projects

To work with the CEO Head of Operations, Head of Services and in communicating the vision for project work
To take responsibility for budget control reporting any concerns to the CEO/Head of Services

Administration

To have responsibility for the maintenance of accurate and timely data in all required records and reports, ensuring such information is given to stakeholders as required
To be responsible for upholding legal requirements and policies in the running of the Refuge, including health and safety requirements
To ensure that all financial records are accurate and up to date
To plan and authorise use of budget, within guidelines
To identify sources of funding and inform Head of Services and CEO
Monitoring and reporting on grants alongside the Head of Services
Monitoring and authorising team expenses

General

To promote the aims and objectives of the organisation and ensure that all contacts with external people and organisations fully reflect the professional approach of I Choose Freedom
To ensure compliance with relevant legislation and I Choose Freedom’s policies, practices and codes of conduct, and ensuring that all work is within a framework of safeguarding, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
To keep up to date in developments both nationally and locally, in policy or practice in the domestic abuse field
To contribute to the Surrey Domestic Abuse Strategy and other associated strategies, via the Head of Services and be aware of the implications for I Choose Freedom
To represent I Choose Freedom at relevant meetings or forums
To undertake any additional duties necessary for the smooth running of the Refuge
This is an outline job description designed to give an overview of the responsibilities of the post. The post holder will be expected to be flexible to respond to change and organisational need given the organisation’s development and growth plans. The post holder will be expected to contribute to the wider organisational needs as appropriate and this job description may be subject to review.

Contact: Zoe.s@Ichoosefreedom.co.uk

Interviews commencing week of 27.5.24

To apply for this job email your details to zoe.s@ichoosefreedom.co.uk.