Homeless Services Manager, Fairgreen STA

Homeless Services Manager, Fairgreen STA

COPE Galway are looking for a manager for their Fairgreen Hostel STA 

About COPE Galway

COPE Galway has been providing essential social services in Galway for 60 years. We respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, women and children subjected to domestic abuse, and we support older people towards healthy, independent ageing. Our vision is for a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life. 

COPE Galway is deeply embedded in the Galway community. We are founded on the belief that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve and our community.​

Our People

Our People, COPE Galway staff and volunteers, are the driving force behind everything we do. Their passion, commitment, and professionalism enable us to deliver a wide range of services, support more people, and make a real impact in the community.

We have a diverse range of roles, from frontline support workers and social care professionals to catering, community engagement and other professional roles. Each role is crucial in ensuring we deliver our services effectively and make a positive impact in the community.​

Working with COPE Galway

Joining our team means you will make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the families and individuals we support and contribute to driving meaningful social change in the community. Whether you are a frontline worker directly supporting clients or in an administrative role, you are vital to our efforts to address critical issues like homelessness and domestic abuse and to ensure that older people are valued and supported.

At COPE Galway, we prioritise the development and wellbeing of our people. We offer a supportive work environment, with opportunities for ongoing training, personal and professional growth, and leadership development.​

Our Culture

We foster an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace, where diversity is valued. Our team is united by a shared mission and a genuine passion for empowering people and creating meaningful change. We take a trauma-informed approach to the way we work and foster this culture in every aspect of the organisation, including a focus on the health and wellbeing of our staff.​

Homeless Services ​

COPE Galway Homeless Service supports families and individuals in Galway who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We provide residential and non-residential services, including a day centre, street outreach, supported temporary accommodation and seasonal cold weather responses. Our family services offer family-focused support, emergency accommodation, and specific developmental support for children. Our resettlement service and Housing First programme teams work with individuals moving on from homelessness to secure long-term housing.​

Duties and Responsibilities

The Manager is responsible to the Head of Homeless Services. Their (not exhaustive) key duties are:​

Leadership and management

To lead the Fairgreen Hostel Team and to build capacity within the teamTo participate in the recruitment and induction of staff as appropriateTo line manage and provide support and supervision to staff, including the Team LeaderTo support the rollout of Trauma Informed Practice in the serviceTo model leadership behaviours and embed a positive values-led cultureTo contribute to the development of reflective practice in the serviceTo develop and imbed a proactive approach on the part of the service to working with people who are either at risk of homelessness or homeless and to continue to promote and imbed this proactive approach when people move into tenancies.To identify gaps in service provision and work to reduce these through service development​​

Service Management

To ensure the day-to-day operations of the service run smoothly and in accordance with the policies and procedures of COPE GalwayTo carry out administrative and financial procedures in accordance with organisation policiesTo ensure that administration and recording systems are developed and in place and appropriately operatedTo oversee the use the database systems in place including PASS (Pathway Accommodation & Support System)To ensure that all incidents, emergencies, events and handovers are recorded using the recording systems in placeTo deal with maintenance issues and to ensure the upkeep of the facilityTo ensure that clients are consulted and involved in the operation of the project to the greatest practical extentTo work in line with NQSF (National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services)To process and deal with complaints in line with policy and procedureTo provide regular reports on performance and other issues, as required​

​Client Services

To ensure a safe, welcoming and friendly environment is established and maintained in the operation of the serviceTo develop and imbed a proactive and flexible approach to client engagementTo ensure that assessments are carried out in a professional, sensitive and appropriate mannerTo oversee the referral process to the serviceTo ensure that the service operates a care and case management primarily focused on assisting and supporting people to exit emergency accommodation and homelessness into long-term housing and accommodationTo support the team in supporting clients with behaviours that challenge in line with the principles of Trauma Informed PracticeTo support the key working process ensuring it supports clients to access local services such as housing, welfare, medical, education and training and employment servicesTo be proactive in addressing difficult or problematic situations as they arise in a sensitive and direct manner within the framework of the organisational policies and proceduresTo ensure that appropriate and effective procedures are in place for communication and consultation with clients including supporting the organisation’s policy of encouraging client involvement in a wide variety of waysTo support the development of the service in the future​

​Interagency

To work effectively and in collaboration with Galway City and County Councils and where necessary the HSETo communicate effectively and respectfully with colleagues and clientsTo develop and maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agenciesTo contribute to the fostering of positive relations with the local community and in particular with those living in the immediate neighbourhood by responding to enquiries made to the projectTo report on work and activities to funders as appropriate​

​Health and Safety

To ensure that health and safety standards are maintained and adhered to, including COPE Galway’s Safety Statement and related policies and proceduresTo ensure that domestic, health, and hygiene standards in the building are maintained to the highest standards.To foster a Health and Safety culture in the service​

​General

To work positively and effectively as a member of a team and the wider organisationTo attend and contribute to Homeless Services Leads team meetings and other meetings as requiredTo participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and assist in job-related training needsTo continue to learn and develop professionally through participating in training and workshopsTo ensure adherence within the service at all times to the COPE Galway Child Protection and Welfare Policy & Procedure and the Children First GuidelinesTo ensure that confidentiality is maintained in accordance with the COPE Galway Data Protection Policies and Procedures and agreed information sharing protocolsTo adhere to all of COPE Galway’s policies and proceduresTo participate in on-call management dutiesTo carry out any other reasonable duties as requested

This job description will be subject to review to take account of any changes necessary in response to changing needs and development of the services over time. ​

Person Specification

Essential

A minimum of two years’ experience of working in a management role in a comparable area of work (homeless services, community services etc.)A minimum of three years’ experience of working with vulnerable communitiesA recognised third level qualification (minimum level 8) in Social CareA minimum of two years’ specific experience of working with people experiencing homelessness or people who are socially disadvantagedA commitment to the Vision, Mission and Values of COPE Galway and to the achievement of the organisation’s strategic goalsA thorough understanding of the nature of homelessness and of the complex needs of people experiencing homelessness​

​Core competencies

An ability to develop and promote a culture of understanding, ownership and delivery of the organisation’s visionA commitment to collaborating with other agencies and services in the delivery of this organisational visionAn ability to build, maintain and positive effective relationships and networksAn ability to take responsibility for service delivery and outcomesA commitment to encouraging and promoting a healthy working environment which fosters trust, respect and hard work Innovation in identifying new ways to work with, liaise with and engage with clientsAn ability to solve complex problems, creating effective and innovative solutionProfessionalism and role modelling positive professional behavioursPromotion of a culture of high level trust and integrityEncouragement of staff to identify strengths and focus on progress, despite the challenges they faceAn ability to remain calm and composed within a demanding and stressful environment and situations, focusing on tasks and goals and role modelling effective management of challenging situations to staffAn ability to model the highest standards of professional practice and encourage others to strive for the same​

Key Terms and Conditions

Frequency of Work: 37 hours per week, roster to be agreed with Head of Homeless Services

Contract Period: Permanent

Salary/Pay-scale: € 54,805

Method of Pay: Monthly by credit transfer

Annual Leave: 27 days per annum pro rata​

Equal Opportunity Employer

COPE Galway is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and working environments for all our employees.

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