Service Manager

Homeless Link; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

You Matter is recruiting a Service Manager to lead the First Step from the Streets service in Wigan. You will manage day-to-day operations, lead a team, and work closely with the Director and Head of Homeless Services to ensure safe, trauma-informed support for people experiencing rough sleeping.

The role involves coordinating referrals, maintaining strong partnerships, meeting KPI targets and contributing to service development.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with multiple and complex needs who have experienced homelessness.
• Knowledge of housing legislation and safeguarding.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with service users and staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the First Step from the Streets service.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with The Brick and other stakeholders.
• Ensure KPI targets and contractual obligations are met.
• Prepare for inspections and oversees reporting and governance.

Skills

Homelessness experience

Leadership experience

Housing legislation

H&S knowledge

Communication

Empathy & respect

Commitment

Organisation

IT literacy

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

Location: Wigan

Salary: £37,127.17

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Job Type: Permanent/Fixed Term

Shortlisting: TBC

Interview: TBC

The Service

First Step from The Streets, Wigan will bring together accommodation, intensive person-centred support and strong partnership working to provide a coordinated response for people experiencing rough sleeping in Wigan.

For the team joining the service, it will be an opportunity to help establish a new service from the beginning and be part of an approach that recognises that, for some people, moving away from the streets starts with building trust, creating safety and taking things one step at a time.

What will this service include?

• Placements for up to 10 people
• En-suite accommodation
• 24/7 support
• Short stays of up to 12 weeks
• Psychologically and trauma-informed approach
• Focus on stability and moving towards longer-term accommodation

Why this role would be great for you

The Service Manager is responsible for the effective operational management of our First Step from the Streets Service. Working closely in a team with the Director and Head of Homeless Services, and wider operational leadership, the post holder will provide day-to-day management and assist in the development of the services. A key part of the role will be developing and maintaining a strong working partnership with The Brick, working collaboratively to support the effective delivery of the service in Wigan.

What your week may look like

• Maintain excellent communication with the whole You Matter Management Team
• Effectively communicate with your direct reports and hold supervision as per relational policy
• Creatively manage the referral process and ensure that move-on targets are met
• Lead on the delivery of a forward-thinking support service that proactively meets the needs of those that live within the service.
• Ensure that the service meets its contractual obligations and agreed KPI targets
• Prepare for both internal and external inspections as required.
• Identify any training needs within the support team and address these alongside the L&D department.
• Holistically look at the service and consider how to approach any further development and growth; commit to the 6-month CAT training course to ensure that this can take place.
• Actively lead on managing the Rota and ensuring that the service can fully operate while managing any staff absences/AL.
• To compile and collate monthly reports on KPI’s
• To give informed opinions and make recommendations regarding support, housing and HR issues that impact on the service, Service Users and staff team.
• To make recommendations to the Head of on the development of the service which involve any financial commitments or alterations to service delivery
• Ensuring all health and safety and maintenance issues are raised in a timely manner
• Being flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the service, ensuring our SHREK values run through all of the work that you do
• Promoting a supportive and inclusive culture within the service, valuing people and their diversity.
• Attend and meaningfully contribute to communication meetings with the community housing managers.
• Attending meetings both internal and external
• Attending stakeholder days, forums and other external events
• Represent You Matter at regional and national level from time to time

What We Can Offer You

Working with You Matter comes will a whole host of benefits. We hope that people will find personal fulfilment and purpose by working with alongside people in our services. Our teams are compassionate and supportive, fostering a strong sense of community. With opportunities for professional growth, You Matter offers training to support your role and personal development. For a full list of benefits see here: Careers Page | You Matter.

The skills we are looking for

• EXPERIENCE– Experience of working with supporting people with multiple and complex needs who have experienced a period of homelessness. Experience of leadership and managing a team
• KNOWLEDGE – Working knowledge of housing legislation, Health & Safety, protection of vulnerable adults, safeguarding, A comprehensive working knowledge of the latest best practice in working with young people and the rights of care leavers and those that have been supported by the local authority as a younger person.
• COMMUNICATION – Excellent communication, fostering a respectful, collaborative and professional approach to the people who you work alongside always ensuring confidentiality
• EMPATHY and RESPECT – The ability to empower people to make positive changes, showing empathy whilst maintaining professional boundaries
• COMMITMENT – The ability to work in an innovative and solutions focused way, including reflecting and learning as you go, and a willingness to flex and adapt approaches as needed
• ORGANISATION – Strong time management and the ability to manage to prioritise tasks
• COMPUTER LITERACY – You will be IT literate and have experience of working with multiple software programs such as Microsoft Office and Outlook.

What is a nice to have

• Recognised management or training related qualification
• Experience in working in young persons services.
• Experience of supervising staff and best recruitment practises .
• Knowledge and experience of working in a psychologically informed way.

You Matter is an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.