Central is currently recruiting for a female only Support Services Manager, to work in the Westminster area in a hostel for homeless women. The service supports women affected by substance misuse, unemployment, domestic violence and mental health issues and aims to help towards independent living.

The successful candidate will be required to work 40 hours per week and one weekend in every five (Saturday and Sunday). Cover is required on a temporary to permanent basis (temporary for 3 months before transferring to a permanent contract). The pay rate for this role is £42,154 per annum.

Please note; the service is based over two sites, 100m apart and the job regularly involves walking throughout and between both sites. One site is a building over five floors, with stair access only.

In this position, you will be expected to;

* Manage Support Workers, Support Assistants and volunteers; providing effective line management, supervision, training and development opportunities and overseeing staff recruitment

* Maintain up to date knowledge of the needs of homeless women and the provision of housing services to women in Westminster

* Maintain up to date knowledge of the barriers to engagement and recovery for women and identify new ways of working to ensure women continue to receive a high level of support with realistic and achievable options for move-on

* Ensure the service delivers the highest standards of service delivery within the framework of Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE)

* Work closely with commissioners and partner agencies to deliver high quality services in a strategic and monitored manner

* Be responsible for ensuring that the service delivers outstanding results and reports to promote and secure funding opportunities

* Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of services, identifying areas for improvement and implementing effective remedial actions.

* Manage the referral process into the Project for mental health, multiple and general support needs beds

* Ensure occupancy rate and void turnaround targets are met within the Service

* Undertake the role of Safeguarding Lead for the Project, adhere to recognised safeguarding protocols and maintain communication with external safeguarding services

* Participate in the on call rota; 1 week in every 7 (Monday - Sunday). Salary is inclusive of on call but you'll receive a day off in TOIL after the on call week

To apply for this role, you must have;

* Experience working as a Manager and delivering an effective supported accommodation service for service users with high support needs

* Up to date knowledge of the causes, challenges and service provision for homeless women

* Experience of staff management, housing management, standard setting and compliance

* Knowledge of Psychologically Informed Environments, and service implementation

* Safeguarding Case Lead experience, knowledge of safeguarding and experience in managing complex safeguarding situations

* Experience of setting and managing SMART targets, quality controls and standards

* Up to date knowledge of housing management, the welfare system (such as Housing Benefit and Universal Credit), managing arrears, managing void loss and national homelessness strategies

* Experience of contract monitoring and management

* Understanding of statutory compliances and standards such health and safety, equal opportunities and data protection, particularly within a residential setting

* Ability to identify service improvement areas, analyse and effectively action plan

Please note this role is female only. Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement - Equality Act 2010.

Candidates must confirm their interest as soon as possible, with interviews scheduled shortly after and the successful candidate to start as soon as possible.

Further requirements:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

* Current valid right to work in the UK

* Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)

* A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £50)

* Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

How to apply:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position