Head of Supported Housing

People First; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Simplyhealth package

Volunteer time

Blue Light Card

Eye care vouchers

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

The Housing Network (THN) is seeking a high-calibre Head of Housing & Support to drive operational performance and quality across a regional and national footprint. You will lead the mobilisation and scaling of new Supported Exempt Accommodation services, while building strong relationships with employers, charities and commissioners to secure opportunities for residents.

Working with the SLT and CCO, you will embed trauma-informed approaches, oversee budgets and ensure delivery against

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing teams in housing or homelessness sectors.
• Strong safeguarding and regulatory understanding in housing.
• Experience building partnerships with local authorities and providers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Housing & Support department's operational performance and quality.
• Lead mobilisation and scaling of Supported Exempt Accommodation services.
• Develop local relationships with employers and charitable sectors to create activities for residents.
• Maintain a compliant Safeguarding Framework and process.
• Manage remote teams within a defined region and embed THN values.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Safeguarding

Risk management

Performance monitoring

Trauma-informed practice

People management

Budget management

Communication

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are the Housing Network (THN), a purpose-led organisation working in partnership with the YMCA to support our communities.

We are in an exciting period of growth and have risen to 200th in the FT1000 Fastest Growing Companies in Europe! Homelessness is a vast and complex issue that does not have a single solution. In understanding that reality, we’ve learned the importance of perspective; appreciating that if we continue to innovate, collaborate, and give our best, we are playing our part in making a vital difference.

We are a team that is absolutely committed to innovate, excel and be dependable in all that we do.

Working hard together to achieve our mission of providing Better Accommodation, Better Support, Better Partnerships, and as a result Better Business.

This role will play a key part in our transformational journey, holding directresponsibility and accountability for operational performance and quality within the Housing & Support (H&S) department with a regional and national reach– including financial viability, safeguarding and stakeholder relationships.

With ambitious growth targets embedded in our strategy this role will be integral to executing The Housing Network’s (THN) Homelessness Strategy, at pace alongside strong sector knowledge. Working with SLT colleagues to leverage and build strong stakeholder relationships – to maintain provider of choice status.

A key element of our strategic growth plan is the introduction of a Supported Exempt Rent based service. This role will lead the mobilisation, scaling up and continuous improvement of this new service which employs a trauma informed approach and a psychologically informed environment insupport of our defined homelessness prevention pathway.

This is a fast moving, growing department looking for equally enthusiastic people to join us, who are self-motivated to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage.

Main Duties

What needs to be done?

• Accountable for all aspects of the operational effectiveness and continuous improvement of our Housing & Support (H&S) department.
• Accountable for the mobilisation, scaling up and continuous improvement of our new Supported Exempt Accommodation services.
• Lead responsibility for networking and developing local relationships with employers and the charitable sector to secure recreational/economic activities for residents.
• Accountable for the development and management of a compliant Safeguarding Framework and process.
• Manage and coach remote teams within a defined region to enhance cohesive working and embed a behavioural framework underpinned by THN’s values
• Working alongside the Director of Housing and Support and Chief Commercial Officer to maintain highly trusting and effective (Provider of Choice) commissioner relationships.
• Support the Director of Housing and Support and the CCO to further develop and improve the new Homelessness Prevention Pathway model.
• Support the management and delivery of Housing & Support (H&S) departmental budgets and strategic objectives.
• Accountable for the accurate and effective management of relevant service budgets and performance to ensure optimum performance against organisational objectives.
• Working collaboratively and innovatively with the Director of Housing and Support and CCO to ensure successful delivery of the Strategy and meeting key targets
• Working with the Director of Housing and Support COO and Director of People to embed a Sector Specific Language and trauma informed approach which aligns with MEAM.
• Accountable for the development and management of an adequate and appropriate Resident Feedback and Complaint Framework and process.
• Accountable for the further development and mobilisation of our Lived Experience Voice activities and focus.
• Accountable for the management, oversight, improvement and data compliance of Support Planning and Risk Management.
• Lead responsibility for operational management, delivery and reporting against contractual obligations.
• Contribute to the development of A Social Impact Measurement framework and data collation process.
• Supporting the Director of Housing and Support alongside the CCO and marketing function to ensure a maximised approach to communicating and highlighting our social impact.
• Identify opportunities for the Ex-Co to further engage with the sector to maximise growth.
• Accountable for the development and management of a high performance Housing & Support department team which consistently exceeds expectations.
• Working alongside the Director of Housing and Support to act as subject matter experts for the sector, using that knowledge to identify opportunities and risks for the organisation.

Scope and Accountability

Which bits are involved?

• Financial * Departmental Budget (Framework / Total Value in Development).
• People * Direct Reports @ 4-5 / Overall Division @ circa 300
• Legislation and compliance * Awareness of Regulator of Social Housing (RSL) Standards / Health
• Safety / Building Safety Act / Fire Safety Act / Housing Ombudsman/ Homelessness Act 1996 (as amended) Homeless Reduction Act 2017/Care Act/ Safeguarding
• Risk * Departmental Risk Register (and mitigation) / Safeguarding / Complaints.
• Governance * Internal Policies (e.g. Financial Regulations and Safeguarding) / GDPR and Data Protection.
• Assets * Departmental Elements of Accommodation Portfolio.
  

Relationships

Who will I be working / engaging with?

• Internal Stakeholders – Managing Directors / Senior Leadership Team / Direct Reports (and team members) / Internal Project Groups (e.g. Lived Experience Groups) / Staff Teams from across the Organisation (as required).
• External Stakeholders – County and District local Authority Commissioners / Delivery Partners (e.g.YMCA Federation) / Advisors (e.g. Lawyers) / Auditors / / Emergency and Statutory Services / Various Clients and Customers
  

Competencies – Who with and your skill level?

• Proven experience of working as a manager in a supported housing sector, preferably with people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage
• In depth knowledge and awareness of related housing regulations/ law and good practice
• Working knowledge of Adults and Children’s Safeguarding practices and reporting procedures, and contributing to Statutory Professionals meetings
• Understand risk and performance management frameworks.
• Experience of delivering face to face customer service with the ability to have honest conversations with customers and manage difficult conversations.
• Experience of developing partnership working with support agencies, local authorities and community groups.
• Good knowledge of performance monitoring, people management and producing related reports to evidence housing, health and wellbeing outcomes
• Experience of using ICT systems - housing management, CRM systems and Microsoft office software.
• Commitment to delivering excellent customer services.
• Understanding or experience of delivering Strengths based and Trauma Informed services.
• Proven skill and ability to appropriately manage large complex functions in high pressure environments.
• High levels of personal drive and ambition to deliver (and exceed) against strategic objectives.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work under pressure to foster and develop a collaborative and shared ownership culture.
• Solution focused approach to delivering results, managing and mitigating risks and managing / resolving challenges.
• Professional values and approach that support integrity, transparency, empathy and inclusion alongside the MEAM principles https://meam.org.uk/

General and Additional

• The responsibilities contained within this job description are indicative, but not exhaustive. As the role develops, the requirements of the post may change, and as such the post is subject to review in discussion with the post holder.
• The post holder may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as the organisation mayreasonably require which are commensurate with the grade of the post.
• The post holder shall comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate actions and reporting protocols are followed at all times.
• The post holder shall attend regular staff or other related meetings, contributing positively where appropriate and relevant.
• Extensive travel across the UK will be required from time to time to support the delivery of role requirements.
• An Enhanced Disclosure is required for this position.

We believe our values should reflect in our behaviour towards our colleagues, partners and residents while we work to achieve our Strategy 2024>29.These values are to be; Innovative, Dynamic, Dependable, Respectful, and Kind.
The Housing Network is committed to eliminating discrimination amongst the workforce.
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
As an employer we welcome applications from candidates with lived experience, demonstrating our commitment to capturing the value of “expertise by experience” and providing More than a Voice for our residents.
All job offers are subject to a DBS check (level to be advised through the hiring process) and references.

The Housing Network is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK to be considered.

We do not use AI to make hiring decisions. All screening, shortlisting and selection decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers.

Simplyhealth Package Health & wellbeing programme Paid volunteer time Blue Light Card Eye care vouchers Cycle to Work scheme

259 Capability GreenLutonBedfordshireLU1 3LUUnited Kingdom