Women s Community Project Manager Job Description Line manager: Direct reports: Head of Communities Development Support Workers Volunteers The Role Having regard to the nature and context of the work, there is a genuine occupational requirement permitted under the Equality Act 2010 that this post is only available to women. The Women s community project, Alana House, was set up with the aim of supporting local women with complex needs and strengthening their links with the local community. The service is targeted at female offenders and those at risk of offending. It provides a safe, women only space with the aim of empowering and enabling women to access the support they need, and at their own pace. The objective of the project is to reduce the numbers of women in custody by offering holistic support work which enables the women to make positive life changes that will steer them away from offending and as a result assist them to resolve issues linked to offending, social exclusion and low self esteem. The Women s Community Project Manager will report to the Head of Communities Development and will be responsible for the line management of project staff and volunteers and for external services delivered from the centre. The postholder will be responsible for coordination and day-to-day management of the women s community project Alana House and to work closely with the Head of Communities Development, Thames Valley Probation and the Advisory Group (made up of statutory and voluntary agencies) to direct the strategic development of the project. They will oversee the delivery of services in line with the Corston Report with the purpose of reducing the number of women entering custody and developing services which offer support to vulnerable women in the local area. This post is funded via Thames Valley Probation and John Paul Getty.
Key Tasks Staffing and resources To oversee the day to day operational management of the project To ensure that appropriate levels of support, supervision and performance reviews are provided for individual staff members so that staff performance is monitored and managed effectively To ensure that appropriate training and development opportunities are provided for staff and volunteers in line with the ethos of the organization and the resources that are available to it To organise staff cover for all sessions and during holidays/sickness to ensure continuity of services To contribute to setting budgets and to work within budgets to ensure the projects are run efficiently To manage all resources within the centre ensuring they are well-maintained and fit for purpose, and utilised fully and effectively To routinely collate quantitative data from case notes and other records for the purpose of monitoring outputs and outcomes. Activities To be responsible for contributing to project design and development as well as ensuring delivery of targets as set out in the PACT business plan and contracts To ensure the delivery of a stimulating programme of appropriate activities tailored to meet the needs of individual women and children To identify funding opportunities and work closely with the Fundraising team as required Standards To work with the Head of Communities Development to ensure that the organisation s statutory duties are carried out and that all management decisions are well informed and implemented To ensure that facilities comply at all times with best practice and National Standards for the Supervision of ffenders in the Community To ensure that external providers of services linked to the Centre operate in line with the ethos of the Centre, that standards and policies are adhered to, and monitoring information is gathered
To ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are implemented, monitored and updated as required so that the organization meets it obligation in relation to: Quality management Health and safety Equal opportunities Childcare and protection Supporting Vulnerable Adults Data protection To maintain appropriate records, statistics and information, both quantitative and qualitative, for monitoring purposes and contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme to support appropriate on-going development To establish and maintain appropriate systems that promote best practice so that the organisation can measure and report on its level of service provision and organisational performance To maintain appropriate records, monitor project spending and prepare reports for funders as necessary To keep up to date with Government and PACT issues as well as wider issues affecting vulnerable women and their children To ensure the staff team remains up to date with current legislative requirements and deliver training as and when required. To adhere to PACT delivery guidance as outlined in the relevant Handbook and Service Guides Liaison and networking To actively work in partnership with a wide range of agencies exploiting opportunities for joint working and utilising as fully as possible the Centre s premises and resources To market and promote the Centre as widely as possible and in diverse ways to ensure good take-up of services in conjunction with partners and funders To ensure that services reach out to all parts of Reading To seek opportunities to promote local interest and support, including local fundraising activities, sponsorship and grant seeking and develop a strategy for sustainability To consult with users and children to ensure services are appropriate and needs led To co-ordinate the Advisory Board for the Centre and encourage full participation by other agencies To contribute to seeking funding opportunities and reporting to funders To contribute to the wider work of the Community team
To develop and work in partnership with other organisations and represent PACT and the project to other statutory, voluntary and corporate groups All staff have the following key tasks To maintain the organisation s commitment to best practice and the delivery of high quality support and services To ensure that the organization operates on a sound financial basis To contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of PACT s wider services which may include working in a group setting or on an individual basis and regular attendance of the relevant PACT staff forums To take responsibility for and be committed to personal and professional development and keep up to date with wider issues affecting vulnerable families. To work in a way that promotes equality of opportunity. To safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children in accordance with PACT's Policies and Procedures at all times To undertake any other duties deemed commensurate with this post as directed by the line manager Person specification Essential Attributes Diploma in Probation Studies or Social Work Qualification Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or equivalent Strong people management skills, able to encourage, motivate, support and develop staff A minimum of 3 years post qualifying experience in an offending behaviour setting Experience of budget management and budget setting Ability to assess and manage risks and implement lessons learned A working knowledge of the National Standards for the Supervision of ffenders in the Community A sound understanding of the Criminal Justice system and familiarity with the Corston Report Concise analytical and comprehensive assessment skills Ability to enforce sanctions for unacceptable behaviour to ensure a safe environment is maintained at all times
Experience of writing reports for a variety of audiences Sound IT skills, including MS Excel, Word and utlook Ability to evaluate and monitor service delivery against targets and of identifying ways to improve service delivery and implementing these Experience of inter-agency/partnership working including the local courts and prison service A good understanding of, and ability to work within, the policy framework of equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice and managing diversity Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with ex-offenders within appropriate boundaries Effective interpersonal skills and ability to build and grow networks appropriately Safeguarding training Enhanced DBS check Desirable attributes Management qualification Experience of working with vulnerable women Experience of contributing to strategic plans