JOB DESCRIPTION
May 2011
Job title: Progression Manager
Department: Client Services
Team: Crisis Skylight Oxford
Job holder: New Post
Reporting to: Head of Skylight Oxford
Aim
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To ensure the delivery of a safe, welcoming, supportive and inspiring environment at Crisis
Skylight Oxford.
To ensure the delivery of a high quality Information Advice and Guidance and progression
service to Skylight members
Background
Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness
by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change.
Crisis Skylight, our award winning and accredited education, training and employment services,
offer practical and creative workshops with formal learning opportunities that lead to qualifications
and finding work. Crisis has Skylight centres open in London and Newcastle and operates
outreach services in Birmingham and Edinburgh. In 2011 we will extend our services to
Merseyside and Oxford.
Crisis Skylight Oxford will be located in the Old Fire Station in the centre of the city. It will offer
practical, creative and vocational workshops; accredited learning opportunities; and tailored
employment programmes. It will include a social enterprise Skylight Café, open to the public.
The Old Fire Station building will also accommodate a range of flexible arts spaces which will be
run by an independent arts company. They will work closely with the Skylight team to provide
opportunities for homeless people, the professional arts and wider communities to meet, learn,
network and participate together
Dimensions
 Responsible for developing activities in consultation with the senior tutor and the cafe
manager which lead to progression pathways for Clients.
 Initially responsible for managing the Progression Coordinators, the Work and Learning
Coach, the Mental Health Officer and the Volunteer Manager.
 Responsible for supporting volunteers and students.
 Responsible for working in close partnership with other organisations based within the Old
Fire Station.
 Contribution to the development of budget.
Circumstances
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£28,739 pa
35 hours per week.
A significant degree of flexibility is required in delivering the service and regular evening
and weekend work will be required on a shift rota.
Based at the Old Fire Station in Oxford.
Skylight Oxford will also incorporate some outreach provision.
Crisis Skylight Oxford will run four terms per year. Term breaks will be used for ad hoc
events such as Job fairs, award ceremonies, taster sessions, end of term performances
and preparation for the next term.
A satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau is required for this
role.
Organisational chart
Director of Client
Services
Head of Crisis
Skylight Oxford
1.0
Regional
Fundraiser
1.0
Progression
Manager
1.0
Senior Tutor
1.0
Senior
Administrator
1.0
Café General
Manager
1.0
Facilities
Manager 1.0
Basic Skills Tutor
1.0
Progression
Coordinator
1.0
Reception
1.0
Café Training
Manager
1.0
IT Tutor
0.6
Progression
Coordinator
1.0
Reception
1.0
Head Training
Chef
1.0
Arts Coordinator
0.6
Volunteer
Coordinator
1.0
Reception/
Administrator
1.0
Work and
Learning Coach
1.0
Please note the team structure is subject to change
Principle accountabilities
Progression routes for skylight members
 To ensure that all potential members have a positive initial contact with Crisis and understand
the Skylight offer. Initially this will include direct case work with members.
 To develop a culture that promotes the transformational benefits of participation in creative and
learning activities.
 To ensure the provision of high quality Information, Advice and Guidance to Skylight members
enabling them to make appropriate choices for future progression.
 To improve the mental well-being of Skylight members through the provision of a person
centred service offering counseling, health promotion and sign posting to appropriate services.
Project and staff management
 To performance manage and motivate staff to achieve all goals and targets as laid out in the
strategic plan and to meet external funding requirements.
 To lead on all client health and safety matters for Skylight (including ensuring consistency of
incident reporting).
 To develop rotas for staff and ensure sufficient cover at all times.
 To work closely with the Senior Tutor and the café manager on member progression,
developing a culture of shared responsibility for the well-being of members including the
management of any difficult situations that might arise.
 To work closely with the Volunteer coordinator to identify volunteer opportunities for skylight
clients throughout the Old Fire Station building.
 To work closely with the Volunteer coordinator in the recruitment, training and support of
Skylight volunteers to ensure volunteering is a positive experience.
 To promote and deliver the Member Involvement Strategy throughout Skylight and ensure
opportunities for members to give feedback and contribute to the effective running of Skylight.
Business development/Partnership management and relationships
 To develop knowledge within the team of potential external support services for Skylight
members and to build a network of appropriate agencies.
 To build relationships with external providers of adult education and establish progression
pathways for members into learning.
 To build relationships with businesses and external providers of employment services and
establish pathways for members into employment.
 To work closely in partnership with other organsiations based within the Old Fire Station.
 To promote Skylight and the benefits of engagement, learning and progression to a variety of
audiences.
 Contribute to effective and efficient management of the Skylight budget by monitoring
Progression Team expenditure.
 To identify opportunities for income generation and contribute to the continuing development of
Skylight Oxford.
Quality assurance
 To encourage staff to fully use the Monitoring and Evaluation system and to develop the
measurement of soft outcomes.
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To effectively monitor performance to meet internal and external targets, reporting on any
concerns and undertaking action in consultation with the Head of Skylight Oxford.
Ensure systems and practice meet Crisis and Matrix requirements.
Contribution to the team and organisation
 To develop and maintain an understanding of the charity’s work and the needs and
circumstances of homeless people.
 To comply with Crisis policies and procedures, including Health and Safety policies, for which
all employees owe a duty of care both to themselves and others, in accordance with the Health
and Safety at Work Act.
 Participate in the continual improvement of Skylight Oxford.
 Develop and share good practice with the team and with other Skylight centres.
 Participate in professional development activities.
 To carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required in the light of the main purpose
of the job.
General accountabilities
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To develop and maintain an understanding of the charity’s work and the needs and
circumstances of homeless people
To comply with Crisis policies and procedures, including Health and Safety policies, for which
all employees owe a duty of care both to themselves and others, in accordance with the Health
and Safety at Work Act
To carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required in the light of the main purpose
of the job.
Person specification
Qualifications and training
 An IAG qualification or willingness to work towards one.
Knowledge and experience
 Proven experience of managing, motivating and developing staff.
 Experience of delivering high quality advice, information and guidance (ideally working to matrix standards).
 Experience of managing successful relationships with external agencies and relevant service providers.
 Experience of working with socially excluded and vulnerable people, to bring about positive change.
 Knowledge of possible progression pathways for homeless people.
Skills and abilities
 Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to motivate and generate enthusiasm for learning and progression in staff,
members and volunteers.
 Ability to think clearly and work well under pressure.
 Ability and confidence to consult and use own initiative to take decisions as appropriate.
 Excellent oral and written communication skills
 IT literate
Attitude
 Empathy and understanding of the issues faced by homeless people.
 Commitment to empowering homeless people through the development of life and social skills.
 Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Crisis.
Essential
Desirable
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We encourage applications from all sections of the community particularly those with personal or previous experience of homelessness.