Domestic Abuse Refuge Manager
Location: Solihull
Salary: £30,868 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Office Based
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Domestic Abuse Refuge Manager to lead the delivery of a safe, high‑quality refuge service in Solihull for women and children affected by domestic abuse. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated charity supporting survivors of domestic violence and abuse. As Refuge Manager, you will oversee the day‑to‑day operation of a 24‑hour refuge, ensuring residents receive the practical, emotional, and advocacy support they need to rebuild their lives and move towards independence. The successful candidate will have strong leadership skills, extensive experience supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and the ability to manage a busy service while maintaining high standards of safeguarding, support, and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Service Management
- Lead the day‑to‑day operation of the refuge service.
- Provide effective line management, supervision, and support to staff.
- Ensure high standards of case management, safeguarding, and service delivery.
- Oversee complex cases involving child protection, adult safeguarding, and residents with multiple support needs.
- Maintain compliance with contractual requirements, policies, procedures, and quality standards.
- Participate in an out‑of‑hours management rota and respond to emergencies when required.
Resident Support
- Ensure residents receive culturally sensitive, person‑centred support.
- Support women and children affected by domestic abuse, honour‑based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of violence.
- Assist residents with housing, benefits, legal matters, education, employment, health services, and move‑on accommodation.
- Develop and oversee support plans, risk assessments, and safeguarding procedures.
- Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners to achieve positive outcomes for residents.
Staff Leadership
- Manage, motivate, and develop a team of support staff.
- Conduct regular supervision sessions, probation reviews, and performance management activities.
- Coordinate staff training and promote continuous professional development.
- Foster a culture of learning, best practice, and continuous service improvement.
Administration and Compliance
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and monitoring data.
- Ensure confidentiality and information governance requirements are met.
- Monitor budgets, resources, and service performance.
- Produce reports and statistical information for management and funders.
Health, Safety and Security
- Ensure the refuge remains safe, secure, and well‑maintained.
- Oversee health and safety compliance, incident reporting, and risk management.
- Monitor security systems and ensure safeguarding procedures are followed at all times.
About You
Essential Requirements
- Relevant qualification or substantial experience working with vulnerable individuals, particularly survivors of domestic abuse.
- Significant experience supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities affected by domestic abuse, honour‑based abuse, or forced marriage.
- Previous management or supervisory experience within a refuge, domestic abuse, housing, social care, or support setting.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and domestic abuse legislation.
- Experience providing advice, advocacy, and support to vulnerable individuals.
- Excellent communication, report writing, administration, and IT skills.
- Ability to manage a varied and complex workload while working independently.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and anti‑discriminatory practice.
- Enhanced DBS clearance.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
Desirable
- Experience working within the voluntary sector.
- Experience delivering training or presentations.
- Knowledge of complex issues including mental health, substance misuse, no recourse to public funds, honour‑based violence, forced marriage, and FGM.
- First Aid qualification.
- Ability to speak a community language in addition to English.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of women and children affected by domestic abuse.
- Supportive and dedicated team environment.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Meaningful and rewarding work within a respected charitable organisation.
The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.
