Refuge Manager

Brook Street UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A women's charity organization in Leicester is seeking a Refuge Manager to lead their team providing specialized support to women affected by domestic abuse. The role involves managing staff, overseeing refuge accommodations, and ensuring high-quality support services. Essential qualifications include a managerial qualification, experience in domestic abuse services, and the ability to communicate in at least one BME language. This is a critical role focused on safeguarding and empowering women in transition.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Excellent benefits

Clinical supervision

Qualifications

• Experience in domestic abuse services is strongly preferred.
• Ability to speak at least one BME language is required.
• Senior on-call experience is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small team of 3-4 staff members.
• Oversee the work of the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate.
• Manage 4 refuge houses and support residents.
• Lead safeguarding, risk management, and crisis intervention.

Skills

Cultural awareness

Communication skills

Crisis management

Team leadership

Education

Managerial qualification

Job description

Refuge Manager - Leicester (Women's Charity)

Salary : £30,868 per year

Hours : Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (37.5 hours)

Benefits : 28 days annual leave + excellent benefits + clinical supervision

A long-established women's charity with over 45 years of service is seeking a Refuge Manager to lead their Leicester-based team. The organisation provides specialist support to women affected by domestic abuse, offering both refuge accommodation and community outreach services. They support single women as well as women with children, helping them regain independence and rebuild their lives.

This is a women-only organisation dedicated to supporting and employing women. They have a strong focus on BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) communities, so cultural awareness and the ability to speak at least one BME language is essential.

The charity operates across three offices, including Coventry, Leicester, and Leicestershire, and also provides access to in-house legal support such as immigration advice for service users with complex needs.

About the Role - Refuge Manager (Leicester)

The Refuge Manager will play a key role in leading the operational delivery of the Leicester service. Responsibilities include:

• Managing a small team of 3-4 staff (both full-time and part-time)
• Overseeing the work of the IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate)
• Managing 4 refuge houses
• Offering 18 bed spaces
• Ensuring safe, high-quality support within refuge accommodation
• Leading safeguarding, risk management, and crisis intervention
• Supporting residents to access appropriate services and rebuild independence
• Attending occasional weekend events such as International Women's Day and community activities

Role Requirements

• Managerial qualification (essential)
• Senior on-call experience (essential)
• Experience within domestic abuse services (strongly preferred)
• Ability to speak at least one BME language (required)
• Strong cultural awareness and understanding of diverse communities
• Ability to lead, support, and develop staff in a specialist women's refuge environment
• Excellent communication, safeguarding, and crisis-management skills