Housing First Service Manager

Action is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and agency workers to share this commitment.

Housing First Manager

Job Title

Housing First Manager

Reports To

General Service Manager (North)

Location

Community and office based with travel required.

Working Pattern

Full time – 36 Hours per week

Job Purpose

To lead and manage a Housing First service delivering intensive, person-centred support to individuals experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage, including mental health needs, substance misuse, offending behaviour, and trauma.

The Housing First Manager will ensure the service operates in line with Housing First principles, safeguarding requirements, contractual obligations, and organisational values while driving positive client outcomes and service performance.

This service operates between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday. You may be asked to work beyond these hours in accordance with the needs of the business to ensure contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities

Service Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of the Housing First service.
• Ensure services are delivered in line with Housing First principles and trauma-informed practice.
• Monitor performance against KPIs, targets, and quality standards (auditing).
• Develop and maintain effective systems for support planning, risk management, and client outcomes.
• Promote continuous improvement and best practice across the service.

Staff Management

• Recruit, supervise, and develop staff teams.
• Conduct supervisions, appraisals, and performance reviews.
• Support staff wellbeing and reflective practice.
• Manage staffing issues including absence, conduct, and performance.

Safeguarding & Risk

• Lead safeguarding processes and ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation and policy.
• Oversee high-risk and complex case management.
• Ensure incidents are recorded and managed appropriately.
• Promote safe lone working practices.

Partnership Working

• Build and maintain positive relationships with local authorities, housing providers, NHS services, probation, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Represent the organisation at meetings and partnership forums.
• Advocate for clients to access services and reduce barriers to engagement.

Housing & Tenancy Sustainment

• Oversee tenancy sustainment and housing-related support.
• Develop positive working relationships with landlords and housing providers.
• Support effective move-on and long-term housing stability.

Compliance & Administration

• Maintain accurate records and reporting systems.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, health & safety, safeguarding, and organisational procedures.
• Support audits, inspections, and contract monitoring activity.
• Complete reports as per contractual requirements.

Benefits

• Mileage and Expenses
• Casual Dress
• Free Parking
• Complimentary Tea and Coffee
• Westfield Employee Assistance
• Paid breaks
• Access to Blue Light Card
• Charity Worker Discount
• Access to the Company Shop
• 180 hours (25 days) annual leave (+ 21.6 hours (3 days) allocated by the business between Christmas and New Year) + Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• 3x Life Assurance

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Experience

• Significant experience managing homelessness, supported housing, or Housing First services.
• Experience leading teams supporting individuals with complex needs.
• Experience managing safeguarding and risk.
• Experience working with multi-agency partnerships.
• Experience monitoring service performance and outcomes.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of Housing First principles.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and psychologically informed environments.
• Understanding of homelessness legislation and safeguarding frameworks.
• Knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, and social exclusion issues.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and operational pressures.
• Strong IT, administration, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to analyse data and drive service improvement.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Housing, Health & Social Care, Management, or equivalent experience.
• Safeguarding training or willingness to complete training.

Desirable Criteria

• Management qualification.
• Experience working within commissioned services.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits and housing pathways.
• Mental Health First Aid or trauma-informed training.