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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