Deputy Manager (Safe Accommodation) – Calico Homes, Burnley

Deputy Manager (Safe Accommodation): Recovery

For women leaders with experience in housing management, safe accommodation or transferable operational skills, and an understanding of domestic abuse, recovery and complex needs

Hours: Full time, including participation in an on call rota
Contract: Permanent

Please note, this role is based on site only. Due to the nature of our Refuges and Outreach services, it is essential that our teams are present and accessible, enabling us to provide safe, responsive and high quality support to those who need us most.

This post is open to women only as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010. 

About the service

Safenet delivers specialist services across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, supporting adults and children affected by domestic abuse through safe accommodation, community services, recovery support and prevention work.

At Jane’s Place, many of the women we support have been excluded elsewhere. We do not see complexity as a problem to manage. We understand it as a response to trauma, and we believe recovery happens through safety, trust, healthy relationships, community and hope.

This service sits at the intersection of domestic abuse, drug and alcohol recovery, mental health and physical health needs. We are proud to offer a psychologically informed and trauma responsive environment where women are supported to rebuild their lives on their own terms.

We are particularly keen to hear from women with experience of housing management, safe accommodation, supported housing or similar services, including those who can demonstrate transferable operational and leadership skills. You do not need to have managed a refuge before, but you must understand domestic abuse, coercive control and violence against women and girls, and be committed to feminist and survivor informed practice.

About the role

As Deputy Manager (Safe Accommodation), you will report to the Service Manager and focus on the practical housing management of Jane’s Place, helping ensure our 24 hour refuge is safe, secure, compliant and welcoming. You will lead and support accommodation staff and deputise for the Service Manager in their absence.

You will be a values led feminist leader who combines compassionate, person centred support with a strong understanding of health and safety, safeguarding and operational risk. You will balance clear expectations and accountability with warmth, curiosity and care, supporting the physical and psychological safety of residents and staff.

This role is based at Jane’s Place, Burnley, our specialist women only refuge providing 24 hour accommodation and support for women experiencing domestic abuse who also want to address substance use, mental ill health or physical health needs as part of their recovery journey.

You will provide an on site presence, participate in the management on call rota and help maintain continuity of safe accommodation and support when the Service Manager is absent.

You will:

• Lead and support Safe Accommodation Workers, Night Workers, the Housekeeper and Cleaner, providing regular supervision and supporting staff development and wellbeing
• Oversee accommodation health and safety, ensuring the building complies with relevant regulations and organisational policies
• Complete and review building and activity risk assessments, identify hazards and maintain the Building User Guide, ensuring staff understand and use it
• Coordinate room preparation, building maintenance and repairs, working with contractors and repairs teams to maintain a safe, secure and welcoming refuge
• Manage staff rotas and accommodation resources, maintaining safe cover during leave and absence, minimising voids and supporting timely move-on and resettlement
• Lead safeguarding practices and maintain clear routes to support, keeping survivors and their children at the heart of decisions
• Deputise for the Service Manager, oversee the Safenet Helpline and participate in the management on call rota
• Build partnerships with statutory and voluntary agencies, support effective pathways into and out of refuge, and contribute to reporting and service improvement
• Promote psychologically informed, trauma responsive support that prioritises survivor empowerment and physical and psychological safety

This is a hands on operational leadership role where safe accommodation and compassionate support go together. You will take a practical, proactive approach to maintaining the building, managing risks and supporting the team, while recognising that recovery is personal, relational and not always linear. Women’s dignity, choice and empowerment will remain central to your work.

We’re looking for someone who…

We welcome applicants from a range of relevant backgrounds. Direct refuge experience is not essential, but you will need housing management experience or demonstrable transferable skills, alongside leadership experience and an understanding of the safety, safeguarding and regulatory requirements of safe accommodation.

You might come from:

• Refuge or safe accommodation services, supported housing or other residential services with housing management responsibilities
• Recovery homes, detox centres, residential rehabilitation or services supporting people with complex needs
• Women’s services, domestic abuse services, VAWG services or other settings where you have developed transferable operational, health and safety and leadership skills

You will bring:

• Leadership and management experience, with the ability to support staff wellbeing, development and collaborative working
• Housing management experience or demonstrable transferable skills, including managing resources and working with suppliers, contractors or repairs teams
• An in depth understanding of health and safety principles, practices and regulations, and the ability to assess risks and identify hazards affecting physical and psychological safety
• Experience of governance, risk and compliance systems, monitoring relevant standards and participating in internal or external audits, including addressing findings
• Knowledge of the legal and regulatory requirements underpinning domestic abuse services and social housing, including housing legislation, health and safety, UK GDPR and Women’s Aid National Standards for survivor led services
• A strong understanding of domestic abuse, coercive control, violence against women and girls and safeguarding, with a commitment to trauma informed, women only, feminist and survivor informed practice
• Confidence using documents, email, spreadsheets and case management systems, and evidence of continued professional development relevant to safe accommodation or similar services

For further information about the role, please visit the Role Profile. 

Essential Core Skills  

Health & Safety

Health and safety is a core responsibility of this Deputy Manager role. You will oversee building and activity risk assessments, keep the Building User Guide up to date and embedded in team practice, and coordinate maintenance, repairs and room preparation. You will work with staff, contractors and repairs teams to ensure accommodation meets relevant health and safety regulations and organisational policies, helping maintain a physically and psychologically safe environment for residents and colleagues. All employees must work safely, use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and keep themselves and others safe. You will be expected to keep your health and safety knowledge and skills up to date.

Safeguarding 

We work with adults and children who may be ‘at risk’ and expect colleagues to work in a way which protects the people we support from harm.  Our colleagues are expected to identify people ‘at risk’ and confidently report any Safeguarding concerns as appropriate within the service. 

Digital 

Across our services, we use a range of technology and systems and expect colleagues to use them effectively and safely following cybersecurity and data protection principles (UK GDPR).  Full training on specific systems is provided but a willingness to learn and develop is essential. 

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) 

The Calico Group welcomes diversity and champions the rights of those in society who may be marginalised.  Our employees are expected to be inclusive, embracing those from different backgrounds to develop a fairer society. 

If you share our values and are ready to lead a service where women are supported with safety, dignity, choice and hope, we want to hear from you.

What’s in It for You? 

At The Calico Group, we value our people and offer a supportive, inclusive culture alongside fantastic benefits: 

• Bravo Benefits, with exclusive discounts at popular high street brands including retailers and restaurants
• Westfield Health, our company-funded cash plan, with access to a doctor 24/7 for you and your dependants
• Mental health support through Spectrum, plus meaningful learning and development with regular focus on your growth
• Cycle to Work Scheme, pension options, life assurance, financial advice and gym membership discounts
• Recognition awards, One Calico events and paid professional fees to support your continued development

And much more! We also offer enhanced holidays, sickness, maternity, and paternity options, ensuring you feel supported when you need it most. 

How to Apply 

Click Apply Now to complete your application online. Applications close on  28/11/2026

We can’t wait to welcome you to our team! 

This post is open to women only as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.  

SafeNet is working towards Equal Opportunities for all and actively encourages applications from disabled, ethnic minority and LBGTQI+ women who are under-represented.  SafeNet is a Registered Charity No. 1091544 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3860803. 

Inclusive Hiring at Calico 

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss accessibility, please let us know at careers@calico.org.uk 

Our Commitment to Safeguarding 

The Calico Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our customers employees, and volunteers. Successful candidates will be subject to a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) and appropriate checks before employment in line with our safeguarding policies.