Petra Manager

Petra Manager

Employer: Mercy in Action
Location: Unit 11, Foxcote Avenue, Bath Business Park, Peasedown St John, Bath, BA2 8SF
Pay: £16.00 per hour (negotiable)
Hours: 20–30 hours per week

About the Role

Are you an organised, compassionate and proactive leader with a passion for safeguarding children and supporting vulnerable families?

Mercy in Action is seeking a Petra Manager to join our Petra Project Team, overseeing the day-to-day running of Petra homes and ensuring mothers and their children have a safe, supportive and welcoming place to live.

Working closely with your line manager, the Petra team and the Safeguarding Lead, you will take responsibility for housing management, property safety, staff and volunteer supervision, client support and safeguarding compliance. You will also liaise with social workers, housing providers, grant providers and other external agencies to ensure the effective running of the project.

This is an important leadership role for someone who can balance practical housing management with compassionate support, strong safeguarding practice and effective team coordination.

Key ResponsibilitiesHousing and Client Management

• Oversee the safety, maintenance and upkeep of Petra homes and gardens, including HMO licensing, safety certificates, utilities and liaising with neighbours where necessary.
• Manage referrals, client interviews, waiting lists, house capacity, licence agreement renewals and client contributions.
• Monitor housing benefits, dual housing benefit, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), including support for pregnant clients in BANES, and other housing-related financial matters.
• Manage client expectations and, where necessary, issue verbal or written warnings and notices to quit.
• Complete visitor assessments and move-on evaluation forms, and coordinate outreach support for former Petra residents.
• Explore grant and funding opportunities to support the continued work of the Petra project.
• Act as the main key holder and provide out-of-hours emergency contact cover, ensuring appropriate emergency support arrangements are in place.
• Provide support worker cover across five days per week, typically 4–5 hours daily, depending on staffing levels within the houses.

Staff and Volunteer Management

• Recruit, interview, supervise, support and train Petra support workers and volunteers.
• Coordinate staff holidays and sickness approvals through Staffology.
• Arrange team meetings, staff supervision and relevant training opportunities.
• Maintain accurate training records and DBS checks, liaising with the Safeguarding Lead to ensure the team meets safeguarding requirements.
• Monitor supervision actions and follow up on agreed actions to support staff development and accountability.
• Ensure the Petra team provides appropriate, consistent and compassionate support to clients.

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Monitor safeguarding and child protection concerns, maintain accurate records and prepare reports as required.
• Liaise regularly with the Safeguarding Lead to ensure safeguarding remains an ongoing priority across Petra homes.
• Ensure relevant team members attend Team Around the Child, Child in Need (CIN) and child protection meetings to represent Petra clients.
• Work in accordance with local inter-agency safeguarding and child protection procedures, including those relating to vulnerable adults.
• Ensure mothers, fathers and children involved in Petra activities know whom to approach with welfare concerns and understand how these concerns will be addressed.
• Develop, review and implement Petra policies and procedures, including GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Ensure client documentation is complete, accurate, securely stored and retained or securely destroyed in accordance with organisational guidelines.
• Ensure clients understand house expectations and relevant licence agreement requirements.

Finance and Administration

• Maintain accurate records of client housing benefits, dual housing benefit, DHP, client contributions and other relevant financial matters.
• Coordinate utility invoices and liaise with the bookkeeper regarding financial issues.
• Maintain team meeting minutes, supervision records and follow-up actions.
• Manage household orders, essential supplies, replacements and Amazon orders as required.
• Arrange gifts for clients on special occasions.
• Prepare quarterly reports for the Board of Trustees and the relevant sub-board.
• Maintain accurate records and complete administrative tasks in line with organisational procedures.

Teamwork and Partnership Working

• Work closely with your line manager and the wider Petra Project Team to ensure the effective delivery of the project.
• Attend regular team meetings, supervision sessions and management meetings.
• Liaise with housing providers, social workers, safeguarding professionals, grant providers and other stakeholders.
• Attend additional meetings with relevant professionals as needed to progress client support and project objectives.
• Promote Petra’s ethos of providing a safe, welcoming and homely housing environment for mothers and their children.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.
• Experience in staff management, housing support, property management or a related field.
• A clear commitment to safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and families.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and collaborate effectively within a team.
• Confidence in working with external agencies, professionals and families.
• Strong administrative skills, including accurate record-keeping and handling confidential information.
• A compassionate, professional and practical approach that reflects Petra’s commitment to providing safe, supportive and homely accommodation.

Essential Requirements

• A valid driving licence.
• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in line with the safeguarding requirements of the role.
• A strong commitment to safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and families.
• The ability to handle confidential information appropriately and maintain accurate records.

Relevant experience in housing support, property management, staff supervision, safeguarding or a related field is desirable.

Training and Professional Development

Mercy in Action is committed to supporting your professional development. Training includes:

• Level 3 Safeguarding training.
• Level 2 Child Protection training, renewed every three years.
• Three additional training courses per year to develop knowledge and expertise.
• Ongoing opportunities to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the role.

Supervision and Support

• Six-weekly supervision with your line manager.
• Annual appraisal with your line manager.
• Team meetings every six to eight weeks.
• Ongoing collaboration with the Petra Project Team and Safeguarding Lead.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about safeguarding children, supporting vulnerable families and helping create safe, stable homes, we would love to hear from you.

Apply through Indeed with your CV and tell us how your skills, experience and values would make you a great fit for the Petra Manager role at Mercy in Action.

Pay: From £16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 30.0 per week

Work Location: In person