Team Leader: Refuge Service
Organisation: Teach Tearmainn
Location: On-stie in Kildare Town with some regular travel to Naas to our Outreach Centre and Safe Homes required. Travel across the community will also be required (interagency meetings etc).
Hours: Full-Time – 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm (60-minute unpaid lunch break per day).
Salary: €55,597 basic salary per annum
On-call allowance approximately €6,720 per annum
Total earnings: €62,317 per annum
On-call Duty: The post holder will participate in the Refuge on-call rota for two weeks in every four weeks. The Team
Leader will participate on the on-call rota with the Outreach Team Leader.
Reports to: CEO
Current Direct Reports:
The Refuge team currently consists of:
- 1.5 x Caseworkers
- 2 x Evening Workers (midweek nights)
- 2 x Weekend Workers (24 hours shifts covering weekends and public holidays)
- 2 x Relief Workers (ad hoc hours to cover evening and weekend workers leave)
The Refuge service and staffing levels may expand in the future.
The Team Leader will support the induction, supervision and operational integration of additional staff, students and service supports as required.
About the Role
Teach Tearmainn is seeking a skilled and compassionate leader to join our service as a Team Leader for our Refuge Service.
This is an operational leadership role responsible for the day-to-day management, quality assurance and delivery of Refuge-based services. The post holder will lead and support staff, oversee service delivery for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and ensure the safe and effective operation of the refuge accommodation and associated supports.
The post holder will be a member of the Management Team and will contribute to operational planning, service improvement and the implementation of organisational priorities as directed and led by the CEO.
Key Responsibilities
1. Service Delivery and Quality Assurance
The Team Leader is responsible for the operational leadership and quality assurance of Refuge-based services, ensuring women and children receive safe, timely, trauma-informed support.
Responsibilities include:
- Lead the day-to-day delivery of Refuge-based services for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
- Ensure timely referral, admission, assessment and support processes within the Refuge service.
- Support refuge exits (planned or unplanned) when required.
- Maintain a zero-tolerance approach to waiting lists and identify and flag any possible barriers for women and children who need to access our services.
- Oversee caseload allocation, monitoring and progression within the Refuge based team.
- Provide guidance and oversight to staff in relation to casework, safeguarding, risk and support planning.
- Ensure high standards of specialist DV support and case recording, documentation, risk assessment and care planning.
- Maintain a case load of DV service users. You will be expected to complete a minimum of two face to face support sessions per working day (10 service users per week).
- Deliver direct support to women residing in refuge and women accessing community-based supports in South and Mid Kildare.
- Ensure effective Refuge response to helpline calls during office hours, evenings and weekends.
- Ensure the refuge team are effectively supporting Safe Homes residents via welfare checks (twice- daily phone check-ins and weekly health & safety visits)
- Ensure the refuge team are following all SOP’s, completing all tasks etc.
- Monitor all frontline staff support sessions ensuring full diaries of one to one session and that no waitlists for services exist.
- Ensure refuge staff support and facilitate group programmes such as Own My Life, TLC Kidz etc and prevention initiatives where scheduled, in collaboration with the Outreach Team and the Training and Education Lead.
- Ensure children’s support within Refuge is appropriately delivered, including supervision of children during women’s support sessions and weekend family/child activities delivered by Refuge staff.
- Ensure effective oversight of the refuge team diary particularly during office hours to ensure efficient use of time with coverage of phone lines, one to one sessions and childcare cover when required.
- Identify operational issues, service gaps and barriers to delivery and escalate appropriately and quickly.
- Participate in safeguarding processes and act as Designated Liaison Person (DLP) in line with Children First requirements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of service quality, outcomes and service user experience.
2. Staff Leadership and Operational Management
- Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance and support to all Refuge based staff.
- Complete case management every 4-6 weeks with Case Workers.
- Ensure attendance of Case Workers (and Team Leader) at external supervision appointment every 6 weeks.
- Develop and manage staff rotas to ensure safe and effective service. This service operates 24/7 365 days per year so forward planning and mapping of staff schedules and annual leave is required.
- Allocate duties and caseloads across the team.
- Conduct regular supervision, performance management and probation reviews.
- Manage recruitment, induction and onboarding of new staff and students.
- Address HR matters (following escalation to the CEO) including attendance, leave and performance issues in line with policy and procedures.
- Support staff development through regular check ins, coaching, mentoring and training.
- Support student placements and future service roles as the service develops.
- Foster a reflective, quality driven, accountable and trauma-informed team culture.
- Lead team meetings and contribute to management meetings.
- Participate in the Refuge on-call rota (2 weeks in every 4).
- Ensure organisational policies and procedures are consistently implemented.
- Support change management and service development initiatives as required.
3. Facilities, Accommodation and Resource Management
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Refuge accommodation in Kildare Town.
- Ensure Safe Homes properties are supported operationally in relation to Refuge responsibilities (welfare checks and safety visits).
- Maintain safe, secure, welcoming and trauma-informed environments for service users and staff.
- Conduct and oversee health and safety checks and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Ensure fire safety systems, emergency procedures and evacuation plans are maintained and followed.
- Oversee maintenance, repairs and contractor engagement in a timely fashion.
- Monitor occupancy and ensure effective use of accommodation capacity.
- Manage stock, equipment and operational resources.
- Maintain accurate records relating to incidents, maintenance and property management.
- Support the development of safe, trauma informed and welcoming living environments for women and children.
4. Quality Assurance, Safeguarding and Compliance
- Ensure all Refuge services operate in line with legislation, Children First guidance, organisational policies and best practice.
- Drive quality practice amongst all refuge-based staff ensuring our work and support is grounded in best practice.
- Maintain oversight of safeguarding practice and risk management across the Refuge team.
- Act as Designated Liaison Person (DLP).
- Ensure accurate and timely case recording on the eSafe (Salesforce) system by Refuge staff.
- Monitor data quality and support staff compliance with recording standards.
- Use eSafe reporting tools to support operational oversight and service monitoring.
- Work in collaboration with the organisation’s designated eSafe lead regarding system governance and development.
- Lead or participate in audits, service reviews and quality assurance processes.
- Ensure learning from incidents, complaints and reviews is embedded into practice.
5. Administration and Reporting
- Maintain accurate and timely service records and reporting systems.
- Meet with the CEO and provide biweekly reports on all matters relating to the refuge service.
- Ensure HR matters are escalated to the CEO and liaise with them in relation to such matters.
- Ensure all operational administration tasks are completed in line with organisational procedures and as directed by the CEO.
- Contribute to monitoring and reporting on service performance and outcomes.
6. Management Team Responsibilities
- Act as an active member of the organisational Management Team.
- Contribute to operational planning and service delivery decisions.
- Support implementation of CEO-led strategic and service development initiatives.
- Collaborate across services to ensure cohesive and effective organisational delivery.
Please note this list is not exhaustive is intended as a guide.
Person Specification
Essential
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working directly with women and children affected by domestic violence or similar vulnerable groups.
- Level 8 qualification (or higher) in Social Care, Social Science, Community Development or related field.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in a supervisory or leadership role in a community or residential setting.
- Strong case management experience.
- Proven understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
- Experience working within trauma-informed, rights-based and strengths-based practice.
- Experience of managing staff, supervision and performance processes.
- Excellent organisational, communication and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced service environment.
- Strong IT and administrative skills, including case management systems.
- Full clean driving licence and access to own transport.
Desirable
- Experience in domestic violence and abuse services.
- Experience supporting or supervising residential refuge services.
- Knowledge of Refuge/ Safe Homes / supported accommodation models.
- Experience supporting group facilitation
- Knowledge of the Irish Family Law and court system.
Salary and Benefits
- Salary: €55,597 per annum
- On-call allowance: approx. €6,720 per annum
- Total package: €62,317 per annum
- Employer pension contribution: 7% (minimum 3% employee contribution)
- Annual leave: 25 days
- Birthday leave (after 12 months service)
- Sick pay scheme (after 12 months service)
- Maternity pay scheme (after 24 months service)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Training and professional development opportunities
Additional Requirements
- Garda Vetting is required for this position.
- This role requires participation in an on-call rota (2 weeks in every 4).
- Evening and weekend work may be required as part of the on-call and service delivery structure.
- You are required to have a full clean Irish Drivers licence and access to your own vehicle.
Other Benefits
- Pension: Employer contribution of 7% (minimum 3% contribution by employee)
- Annual Leave: 25 days per annum
- Additional Leave: 1 birthday leave day after 12 months service
Additional Benefits:
- Sick Pay Scheme (after 12 months service)
- Maternity Pay Scheme (after 24 months service)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- On-call allowance for designated weeks
- Access to training and professional development opportunities
Location
- On-site, based in Kildare Town, with regular travel to Naas and other outreach and meeting locations across County Kildare. Full attendance on site is required for this role.
- Garda Vetting is required for this role.
- A full clean Irish driver’s licence and access to your own vehicle is required
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Pay: €62,317.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Education:
Experience:
- working with vulnerable women and children: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Full clean Irish Drivers licence and access to own vehicle (required)
Work authorisation:
Location:
- Kildare, County Kildare (preferred)
Work Location: In person
