Job Description Job Title: Modh Eile House Refuge ManagerDate of Issue: May 2nd 2025Reporting to: Head of Domestic Abuse Services Our Values, Our Work, Our People Our Vision is a community where every person is valued, cared for, and supported at every stage of life.
We work to achieve this by providing essential supports for people at challenging times in their lives, and by advocating for systemic change to remove the root causes of inequity and disadvantage that constrain the wellbeing and development of individuals, families and communities.
Our Mission is to make a difference by empowering people, creating change and strengthening communities.
We understand, respect and respond to the needs of our clients who are always at the forefront of our work.
The COPE Galway Approach Everything we do is guided by the COPE Galway Approach to help us achieve our vision of a community where every person is valued, cared for and supported at every stage of life.
This assets-based and person-centred approach recognises that each person has attributes and strengths that can make positive differences in their own lives.
We achieve results for the people we work with because of our Approach.
The COPE Galway Approach is built on: Understanding - Deep listening, storytelling, learning, developing, openness, connections.
Respect - Valuing the whole person, empowering, trusting, believing in the potential of others, drawing on strengths and abilities.
Response - Quality, professionalism, making an impact, challenging ourselves, continuous improvement.
Strong human relationships form the basis for the COPE Galway Approach.
These relationships are established on how we understand and respect those we work with and how we respond so that we positively impact people's lives. COPE Galway have operated a Domestic Abuse service since 1981.
COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, Modh Eile, operating from a Galway city centre location, provides support around 1,000 courageous and formidable women and their children each year. Those who use our service are women either subjected to intimate partner abuse or have suffered abuse at the hands of a partner in the past. Our role is to provide a safe space for each woman and her children and then to assist her in exploring options and making decisions which will lead to a better life.The RoleCOPE Galway is a Trauma Informed Organisation and as the Modh Eile House Refuge Manager, you will work as part of our vibrant Domestic Abuse Service team. The primary focus of your role is to lead the team in a trauma informed, empathetic, compassionate and professional manner ensuring that our refuge is a safe and nurturing place for all who seek support and that the highest quality of service delivery is provided to give each woman and their children.To achieve this, you will have specific responsibility for the management of the Refuge, ensuring it is a place of welcome, safety and security.
You will work in close collaboration with the Outreach and Solas Og Managers, to ensure a wraparound service for those wishing to avail of our service.
This also includes ensuring that each person that reaches out to our service is appropriately responded to and supported.
You will have the opportunity to further develop COPE Galway's service offering and voice in the area of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.You will be part of the management team within COPE Galway, working closely with the range of disciplines across the organisations service offerings and supports.
This job description will be subject to review to take account of any changes necessary as COPE Galway services develop over time. Management of the ServiceTo lead and manage the staff team, in a trauma informed manner, in the delivery and development of the service in accordance with the vision, mission and strategic direction of the service and the organisation. To deliver trauma informed supervisionTo work within the ethos and philosophy of the service at all timesTo champion the vision, values and ethos of COPE Galway to multiple stakeholders.Lead and manage the staff team in the delivery and development of the service in accordance with the vision, mission and strategic direction of the service and the organisation. To lead and work with the team to embed and ensure psychological safety To ensure that all those that need our service are fully involved in decisions affecting themOversee the supervision, support and further development of the professional practice of the staff involved in the delivery of services To address staff performance and conduct issues in a timely manner in accordance with the organisations human resources policies and procedures and engage with the human resources department staff as necessary and appropriate in doing so.To ensure communication between staff through meetings, updates, inclusion and transparency To attend training when requested, and contribute to staff meetingsTo work in accordance with and contribute to the further development of the policies and procedures of the service To bring any matters of concern to the attention of the Head of Service in a timely manner, To assist in the overall administration of COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, in conjunction with the Head of ServiceTo track, monitor and contribute to all recording procedures, identify trends and service needTo ensure that reports, proposals and statistics are accurate and completed to professional standardsTo assist in the preparation and completion of funding applications, service reports, data collection, media articles, interviews etc, as requiredTo deliver trauma informed supervisionTo manage the time and attendance recording system To help colleagues when requiredTo participate in the organisational Manager on call rotaTo engage in interagency work, fostering links and developing referral pathways where appropriateFacilitate or source debriefing supports for staff team when requiredGuiding Client WorkTo devise and implement systems to ensure how we work is trauma informed, providing feedback and guidance to the teamTo all duties are carried out based on best practice and to work with colleagues to implement and continuously further develop thisTo support staff in their day to day work To support the team in working through obstacles in key work, through better understanding of the woman and through adapting the key work approach to better fit the woman's needsOversee CRM system to ensure high standard of recording, communication and follow upTo convene regular meetings of key workers to share experience, expertise and to facilitate peer supportTo support each key worker in determining the level of service most appropriate to the woman's needsTo engage in and support key workers in the area of interagency work To co-ordinate and support the team in the day-to-day work with women and children, delegating where necessary and appropriate, and in co-operation with Solas Og teamTo ensure adequate follow up and consistency for those using our service.
To ensure that all relevant information is conveyed to staff at the handover meetings and that these meetings work effectively.RefugeTo ensure the environment is safe, welcoming and inviting to all who come through the gates.To ensure the refuge is operational 24/7, year round, through managing the allocation of team resources accordingly, and attending where necessary, ensuring correct staffing levels are rostered at all times.To continuously monitor and mange the rostering of staff, ensuring compliance with the working time and health and safety legislative requirementsTo manage the Relief Panel, ensuring that staff cover is always available, and that the panel contains the relevant skillset to meet the needs of the women and children requiring our serviceTo work closely with the House Co-ordinator and refuge team on the allocation of accommodation, and including in the allocation of operational tasks with the staff team on a day-to-day basisTo consult and liaise, in a trauma informed manner with external voluntary, statutory and professional agencies, as appropriate.To be vigilant for all the signs of abuse and neglect in children and report and record, in line with relevant legislation To ensure that the team get adequate trainings, support, breaks and rest time, providing cover if necessary.Health & SafetyTo ensure adherence of the service and individual staff to COPE Galway's Safety Statement and related policies and procedures and operations in accordance best practice in relation to standards of health and safety.To operate and engage with the organisational health and safety recording systems, monitoring adherence to requirements on an ongoing basis and responding and actioning issues such as non-adherence, poor recording practice, responses to incident and near miss occurrences in a timely manner. To make every effort to ensure your own personal safety, including psychological and that of othersTo contribute to the development and promotion of a strong and robust culture of health and safety within and across COPE Galway To support the health and safety and fire safety representatives with the service in fulfilling their responsibilities To participate in the COPE Galway Health and Safety Committee and other organisational activities in this area Person Specification The ideal candidate will have a proven interest in the area of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Essential experience and skillsA minimum of three years leading teams in a trauma informed approachThird level Degree in Social Care or relevant equivalentDemonstrable knowledge of current domestic abuse legislation and issuesDemonstrable knowledge of welfare, housing and other matters as they pertain to victims/survivors of domestic abuseUp to date knowledge and experience pertaining to Children First and safeguardingExcellent IT skills including knowledge of the development and operation of Client Relationship Management (CRM) systems and a strong working knowledge of Microsoft systems. Excellent communication skills with the capacity to prepare reports, file notes, correspondence to a high standardExperience of and eagerness to mentor and guide staffAn understanding of the needs and challenges of operating 24/7 servicesFully flexible and a willingness to meet the demands of the roleDesirable experience and skillsExperience of working with women who have experienced domestic, sexual and gender based violence.Media and public speaking experienceExperience of interagency work and community development.Training and experience in the area of data protection.Experience of implementing quality standardsAwareness of a gendered analysis of domestic violence and how it informs interventionsCore CompetenciesStrong leadership skills with the ability to positively engage with and motivate people Can create and sustain a culture that enables and recognises staff members who 'make things happen' and bring forward ideas. Can create a team environment that is forward looking, holding clients at the centre of the work while consistently seeking to improve and develop practiceCan foster working methods that recognise and harness the leadership potential of all staff according to their strengths, skills and abilities.Can support staff to engage in ongoing reflective practice that enhances both self -awareness and team knowledge for the benefit of client workCan drive and maintain a culture of expected standards of behaviour within an organisationCan remain optimistic and resilient with a strong work ethic, while facing challenges Can act as a mentor and role model for staff to enable them to carry out their role to the highest standards of integrity, trust and respectCan demonstrate leadership in making difficult decisionsCommitted to building effective working relationships with statutory and voluntary organisations on behalf of clientsCan empower staff members and motivate them to do and to be their best for clientsCan create opportunities and overcome challenges by rethinking established practices and procedures Have knowledge of the law, best practice and local and national practice changes, which may impact work practicesHave good conflict resolution skillsGeneralParticipate in trauma informed supervision provided by the Head of Service or designated person.Seek support and resolution for any issues arising in your work and be pro-active with regard to your own self-careUndertake any other duties as may be reasonably required Our Domestic Abuse ServiceRefuge - A purpose-built refuge providing short-term emergency shelter to any woman and her children who are at risk and requires safety.
Our refuge allows each woman calm and time to consider her next steps.The refuge also hosts our 24/7 helpline for those reaching out to support for themselves or their loved ones.Outreach - working with brave women who continue to live in the community and are not availing of refuge.
Our outreach service is accessible across Galway City and County.
Solas Og Children's and Young person's Service - offers a dedicated Children's and young person's Service, to those up to the age of 25 years.
The Solas Og team works alongside mothers and children, to manage the impact of abuse and to support in healing and the building of resilience.
Aligned with the Zero Tolerance pillar of prevention, our team has a highly sought after schools programme which addresses Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships.Accompaniment - women using our Service often seek support in attendance at court, engagement with legal aid or legal support, engagement with other agencies, eg, Intreo, local housing authorities, etc.Training & Awareness - we are committed to addressing the root causes of abuse within our community and to challenging the societal norms that can appear to make abuse acceptable. An element of this is done through our Training & Awareness programme, providing training to statutory and voluntary agencies as well as working with schools, colleges and community partners.Research and Innovation - we are committed to understanding the issue of domestic abuse and to developing preventative approaches as well as initiatives that offer better responses to victims/survivors. We engage actively with opportunities to grow our expertise through research and innovation.Advocacy - COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service operates from a rights-based approach and espousing a principle of empowerment. Our work involves advocating with and for each woman, to advance her own case, in addition to providing a voice for women in respect of shared issues. Key Terms and Conditions Hours Per week: 37 hours per weekLocation: Modh Eile House, GalwayType of Contract: Permanent