This is a brand new project and role, as a House Manager, which is critical to the success of ID Grace House UK.
ID Grace House UK is a project of Imago Dei, set up specifically to offer housing with support and life skills training for women leaving prison in the South East, who may otherwise be homeless and need further resettlement provision. Our aim is to help our residents integrate back into the community well. But more than that, we want to give them hope for a better future.
Grace House is situated in Maidstone, Kent and has 6 bedrooms.
Job Requirements:
You will have experience in leading teams to maintain a stable, happy and caring environment. You will be highly motivated and passionate about the rehabilitation of women leaving prison. You will be committed to supporting vulnerable women, enabling them to build on their existing strengths to make positive changes in their lives.
You will have overall responsibility for the continuous improvement and consistency of the day-to-day delivery of the project and be responsible for financial planning and have budgetary responsibilities.
You will help to ensure that Grace House becomes a centre of excellence and help set a positive example of the rehabilitation of prison leavers.
You will maintain and further the excellent reputation we currently have with our referral prisons to ensure a constant flow of residents, reducing the likelihood of voids.
You will liaise with venue staff where our #SheMatters community courses are run, overseeing a timetable of courses and ensure that all course provision meets the high standards set by ID Grace House.
You will have personal experience of running courses with vulnerable and sometimes chaotic women. The Course Facilitators make up part of the Grace House Team.
You will be willing to undertake ‘on call’ duties out-of-hours.
In addition:
• Ability to motivate, coach and manage the performance of the Grace House Team. To coach the Team on continuous personal development (CPD) and to undertake any qualifications relevant to their role.
• Ensure robust plans are created in partnership with residents, to support their progression and ensuring their voices are heard.
• Work with the residents of Grace House to help them address habits/choices made which brought them to offend: to assist them in regaining self-esteem, well-being and independence.
• Support the women in every aspect of adjusting to life out of prison, giving both practical and emotional help, and support women as they seek work and permanent housing.
• Lead by example to champion Grace House values, be respectful and compassionate. Manage any behaviour actioned by the Team that does not reflect the values of Grace House and train on the same.
Experience and Qualifications:
Essential:
• Experience of supporting vulnerable women with mental health, substance misuse, domestic violence, challenging behaviours, offending behaviour.
• Have CTC Prison Clearance or be willing to complete the vetting and checks for this.
• Experience of managing a team.
• Experience of working in the challenging environment of a prison setting or similar.
• Experience of facilitating courses with women presenting challenging behaviours.
• Be a practicing Christian*.
Desirable:
• Experience with supporting prison leavers.
Personal Attributes:
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an understanding of the issues facing our residents.
• Ability to build relationships quickly, earn trust and build credibility. Know how to balance authority and compassion.
• High levels of energy and enthusiasm, incredibly approachable.
• Self-motivated, ability to work alone and in a team.
• Committed and highly organised.
• Respectful and patient.
• Personal values aligned with ID Grace House values.
The Benefits of Working for Imago Dei:
• Generous leave allowance
• Flexible working options
• Additional days leave for your birthday when it falls on a working day
• Regular Refresh & Refocus Days
• Staff Training
• Quarterly Team Days
• Fantastic company culture
Imago Dei is a small but growing charity that works within the women’s sector, delivering courses to women in prison and continuing to support women once they leave prison. It is a really exciting time to be working in the women’s Criminal Justice Sector with the Labour Government pledging to actively work on change in this sector.
Application deadline: 21st March 2025
This job description provides an indication of the roles and responsibilities for this post but should not be construed as an exclusive list of the duties that the post holder may be asked to undertake.
*In accordance with the equality act 2010 it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian and in agreement with the Imago Dei Faith Policy.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.