Head of Housing Supports
Head of Housing Supports
Location: Dublin
Contract: Full Time Permanent
The Purpose if this role is to provide strategic leadership for Housing Support Services nationally, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and outcome-focused service delivery that supports tenancy sustainment and organisational priorities.
What you will do:
Provide strategic leadership and direction to Housing Support teams across Focus Ireland, ensuring high staff performance, engagement, and morale.
Oversee the effective deployment of staff, resources, and budgets to meet service targets, ensuring appropriate staffing levels and skill mix.
Ensure all services are delivered in line with Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and actively liaise with and advocate to statutory authorities on behalf of service users.
Hold overall accountability for service standards, ensuring all properties meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements
Promote and ensure meaningful customer and tenant participation in service design and delivery, in line with Focus Ireland’s customer engagement approach.
Ensure Housing Supports operates in alignment with Focus Ireland’s mission, strategy, and values.
Lead on governance, compliance, and quality assurance, ensuring adherence to organisational models of practice and best practice standards.
Implement and oversee compliance with organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding, complaints, confidentiality, health and safety, housing, and HR policies.
Monitor emerging service trends and risks, and lead the development of responsive, evidence-based service improvements.
Ensure robust performance management systems are in place, with accurate data, reporting, and analysis used to drive service improvement and accountability
Build strong internal relationships and work collaboratively across departments, particularly with Housing Property, to ensure integrated service delivery.
Lead and manage the performance of direct reports, ensuring effective supervision, accountability, and compliance with employment legislation and best practice.
Maintain effective relationships with statutory funders and donors, ensuring timely reporting and compliance with funding requirements.
Work in collaboration with Fundraising to identify and leverage additional funding opportunities.
Oversee financial management, including budget planning, monitoring, and annual budget processes for the service area.
Ensure regular service reviews and evaluations are completed, and that learning is translated into service improvements.
Participate in and oversee the on-call service, ensuring its effectiveness and ongoing development.
Ensure all properties are adequately insured and compliant with Health Safety standards, with maintenance issues addressed promptly.
Maintain oversight of workplace health, safety, and welfare risks, ensuring appropriate escalation and resolution.
Ensure all safeguarding and child protection concerns are managed and reported in line with policy.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with community, voluntary, and statutory stakeholders.
Lead and support service-related research and the development of innovative, evidence-based practice.
Engage in regular supervision with the Director of Services and contribute to organisational leadership.
Prepare high-quality reports for senior management, board, and external stakeholders as required.
Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, reflective practice, and continuous learning.
Represent Focus Ireland at external events, forums, and with key stakeholders.
Monitor national policy, legislative, and sectoral developments, advising the Director of Services on implications for practice.
Participate in continuous professional development and ensure compliance with any professional registration requirements.
Undertake additional duties as reasonably assigned by the Director of Services.
What you will need:
A relevant third-level qualification in social care or a related discipline (e.g. social studies, addiction studies).
Minimum of 5 years’ senior management experience within the social care sector, including long-term supported housing.
Strong understanding of homelessness and its impact on physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.
Proven track record of delivering high-quality, ethical, and person-centred services.
Demonstrated critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving capability.
Experience in developing, implementing, and reviewing policies and procedures.
In-depth knowledge of national policy, statutory regulations, and service standards relevant to housing and homelessness services.
Experience working with local authorities and statutory agencies to deliver housing support services.
Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary environments.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage complex and sensitive situations effectively.
Experience in safeguarding, child protection, and welfare responsibilities, with the ability to respond appropriately to concerns.
Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic service environment.
Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
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