Service Manager, Thompson House in Ballymena

Salary Scale: H1 - H7 (£53,000 - £56,000 per annum)

Hours of Work: 40 per week worked flexibly, including evening and weekend working

Responsible to: Regional Care Manager

Main Function of Job

To be responsible, through management and staff leadership, for promoting and ensuring the highest standards of care, in compliance with statutory requirements, to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the residents within the Christian ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. To ensure the Service is run efficiently and effectively whilst safeguarding service users.

Background Information

The Council for Social Witness is part of the work and witness of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and its aim is to provide care for people in a specifically Christian ethos and environment, placing great emphasis on offering spiritual support and encouragement to residents, as well as physical care. Thompson House is a Probation Approved Project providing rehabilitation for 19 male offenders and ex-offenders. It is one of the aims of the Project to create an environment with a Christian ethos in which residents can be encouraged towards a Christian way of life. However, the Project is open to men of any religion or of none.

About The Role

Responsibilities and Duties

• To ensure that staff meet all legislative requirements.
• To lead, embed and promote Trauma Informed Practice within the service.
• To ensure that all correct documents are present in files e.g. referral forms, licence conditions, risk assessments, support plans etc.
• To ensure positive outcomes for the residents through innovative and collaborative service development.
• To ensure that staff are meeting best practice requirements in the assessment and management of risks presented by the residents.
• To attend weekly hostel panel meetings with PBNI and other Probation Approved Premises managers to assess weekly referrals.
• Oversee robust risk assessment and risk management processes.
• Collaboration with statutory partners including PBNI, NIHE and Prison Service NI.
• Ensure appropriate and timely responses to incident and safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure residents receive structured support focused on risk reduction, rehabilitation as well as reintegration into the community i.e. health and housing.
• Embed a holistic and inclusive culture throughout the Service to all key internal and external stakeholders.
• To lead and oversee the robust security infrastructure of an Approved Premises, ensuring that high levels of H&S and security provisions are implemented and maintained throughout.

Administration and Financial

• To manage the Service within approved budgets and contribute to the budget setting process, in conjunction with the Finance Manager and Regional Manager.
• To maintain accurate financial records, including records of petty cash and residents service charge.
• To prepare reports for relevant committees.
• To liaise with Radius Housing regarding maintenance and tenancy issues as required.
• To ensure quality audits are carried out regularly in line with PCI policy.
• To ensure resident files are maintained appropriately.
• To complete relevant notifications to statutory bodies and funders.

Staff Management

• To be responsible for staff management practices within the service and for the supervision of staff when on duty.
• To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff within in accordance with PCI policy and procedures.
• To exercise the designated responsibilities of a Service Manager within the Staff Disciplinary, Grievance and other Staff procedures, i.e. staff sickness / absence / complaints procedures.
• To manage staff hours to meet occupancy levels and dependency needs of residents as required.
• Prepare staff rotas and carry out other admin duties such as time sheets, records and preparations of reports as necessary.
• To be responsible for providing a comprehensive induction for all staff, including providing staff with the knowledge to understand the choices, preferences, and the needs of those they support to enable them to deliver consistent and safe support.
• Identify ongoing staff training and development needs in conjunction with Training Manager whilst ensuring mandatory training is delivered.
• To be responsible for the operation of the staff supervision and staff appraisal systems as well as performance improvement process.
• Complete clinical supervision with Social Work staff as appropriate.
• To hold regular staff meetings to ensure good communication and work practices.
• To play a key role in the overall work of the Council, by attending appropriate meetings, working groups etc.
• To ensure that all staff adhere to the Christian ethos of the Service including facilitation of regular devotions.
• To organise and participate in the services emergency call arrangements.
• To ensure staff are registered with NISCC (or other relevant professional body) and comply with relevant Codes of Conduct and Practice and that they maintain their registration through Continuous Professional Development.

Communications

• To take the lead in communicating the Christian faith, as appropriate, in speech and action.
• To promote the Service within the wider Church and the local community by e.g. undertaking or arranging speaking engagements, as appropriate, submitting articles/photos for PCI website/literature i.e. PCI senior members groups, PW groups.
• To attend and report to the Local Advisory group meetings as appropriate.
• To be responsible for liaison with tenants families, next of kin and other professional staff involved with the care of the tenants.
• To liaise with PBNI/Supporting People and other professional staff as required.
• To be the designated senior contact for the service/thematic grouping.
• To deal with general enquiries about the Service.
• To undertake any other relevant duties, which may be required by Regional Management.

This job description is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and can be changed or augmented at any time to meet changing needs.

Required Criteria

• A professional Social work qualification AND registered on the appropriate part of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) register, without condition.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (in particular Word, Excel and Outlook).
• At least five years post qualifying experience working within criminal justice.
• Experience of working within a residential supporting living setting.
• At least three years' experience of managing a professional staff team.
• Experience of working within a high-risk environment.
• Experience of managing individuals with multi-complex needs.
• Experience of managing complex risk.
• Must be willing to work within the Christian ethos of PCI.
• Must be available for flexible working, including responding to emergency calls at night and weekends as required.
• Satisfactory Enhanced Access NI checks.

Desired Criteria

• Experience of administration, in particular preparing staff rotas and time sheets.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• Experience of staff recruitment and selection.
• Experience of working in approved premises within the criminal justice system in NI.
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams including voluntary and statutory agencies.
• Access to a car or transport for work purposes.
• Evidence of a personal Christian faith in practice and expression, normally with active membership of a Christian congregation.

Salary

£53,000.00 - £56,000.00 per year