Part Time House Manager in Eastbourne

Sussex Pathways works with offenders pre‑release and post‑release from prison. Our role is to support their rehabilitation and resettlement back into the community and to reduce re‑offending behaviours. This is an exciting new project for Sussex Pathways and is our first venture into directly providing supported accommodation. We will be housing 5 prison leavers at a time for a 6‑month intensive residential programme, equipping them with the life skills to manage independently and break the cycle of offending.

We are looking for someone with experience in the supported accommodation/homelessness sector to help get this project launched and to then take on the overall responsibility for managing the accommodation. Join us and you will be part of a supportive team that thrives on sharing knowledge and expertise.

Location: Eastbourne, with some local travel required (e.g. to HMP Lewes).

Hours: There are currently 18 hours per week allocated to this role but there may be the potential to increase this for the right candidate, by mutual agreement. There is flexibility over how the hours are allocated over a week. You will also need to be willing to answer your phone very occasionally in the evening/at weekends in case of emergency, but this will be a last resort.

Accountable To: CEO and COO.

Key Tasks:

• Initially take the lead in setting up the accommodation – liaising with the Council over housing benefit eligibility; ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation; co‑producing rules and behaviour expectations for our residents; recruiting staff in conjunction with the CEO and COO; assisting in the recruitment of volunteers; establishing policies and procedures for the smooth running of the house.
• Once the accommodation is up and running, be responsible for the day‑to‑day management of the supported accommodation, including staff and volunteers, ensuring a safe and secure environment and providing an intensive housing management service and advice to vulnerable prison leavers.
• Responsible for financial planning and managing the budget for the house as well as assisting with fundraising, proposals and bids to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the project.
• Work closely with HMP Lewes and Probation to support new referrals into the property and ensure voids are kept to a minimum.
• Assist in the development of tailored individual plans and risk assessments for each client.
• Draw up individual move‑on plans based on assessed needs, working closely with staff from other agencies where appropriate.

General Criteria:

• Understand, uphold and work with the values, ethos, aims and objectives of SP.
• At all times adhere to relevant legislation, good practice and SP’s policies and procedures, including those on Boundaries, Health and Safety, Confidentiality and Equal Opportunities.
• Observe professional boundaries and standards of good practice and care in all aspects of the programme and fulfil the duty of care during practice.
• Keep detailed records on systems relating to clients and volunteers.
• Represent the organisation, raise its profile, and promote and uphold service users’ rights.
• Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation, and practice relevant to the client group and attend regular CPD courses.
• Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge, and skills.
• Lead, attend and participate in clinical case conferences and team meetings as required.
• Work flexibly to maintain the most appropriate level of service provision, respond to organisational change and development.
• Undertake such other duties as reasonably requested by your line manager.

Person Specification:

• Experience of working in the supported housing sector, preferably with experience of supporting prison leavers or the homeless/other vulnerable adults.
• Familiarity with the intensive housing management enhanced housing benefit claim system and licence agreements.
• Familiarity with supported housing legislation and compliance (including some understanding of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act).
• Familiarity with HMO legislation and compliance.
• Experience of managing a team.
• Experienced in maintaining high standards, polite and professional.
• Trustworthy, reliable and dependable.
• Detail oriented, organised and efficient, proactive problem‑solver.
• Comfortable working in a private home environment.
• Proficient in IT and Excel.
• Understanding of Health and Safety.
• Valid and full UK driving licence and access to a car.

This job description provides an indication of the roles and responsibilities for this post but should not be construed as an exclusive list of the duties that the post holder may be asked to undertake.