Liadhan McCourt

I manage an accommodation site based across two services for individuals experiencing homelessness. The service in Derry an Approved Premises service, joint commissioned with NIPS. I ensure effective service delivery, staff management, financial control, and compliance with organisational and legislative standards for the service in line with Supporting People, Criminal Justice Inspectorate and NISCC. I oversee the compliance of the Health and Safety of the services and work alongside the Property Team and relevant Housing Associations.

I contribute to help achieve the organisations Strategic Plan and I lead the team to achieve outcomes for the service and the clients. I work alongside our Housing Solutions Team, NIHE staff and external services to provide tailored support for the clients. I work collaboratively with external and internal services and assist staff in planning and implementing individualised support and risk management plans for the people we support. I ensure compliance with site-specific requirements and collaborate effectively with external bodies such as Probation Services, Health Trusts, and Social Services where relevant, to deliver tailored support and maintain high standards of care. Direct and assist staff in planning and implementing individualised support and risk management plans for the people we support I ensure staff are effectively trained and empowered. I promote a culture of confidentiality, respect, and adherence to organisational policies and procedures.

I conduct and monitor staff inductions to ensure compliance with legal and organisational standards. I maintain a fully staffed service, managing the rota efficiently to ensure consistent support. Hold regular team meetings and individual supervisions, ensuring effective management and development of the team through clear two-way communication channels.
I supervise staff and oversee staff inductions, manage. I attend external meetings, building professional and collaborative relationships within the community, promoting the organisation. I review on-site incidents, compliments and complaints, implement recommendations, and ensure continuous service enhancement and safeguarding. I maximise financial sustainability, by maximising Housing Benefit income to support the sustainability of our services. I assist people we support who are struggling with service charge payments, providing compassionate financial guidance.
I support employed people we support in securing alternative housing promptly, minimising financial impact.

I Work closely with the finance department to maintain budget adherence and financial compliance. I prepare and present quarterly reports in collaboration with Senior Operational Leads. I participate in the emergency response on-call team, ensuring that comprehensive support is available to the people we support 24/7. I engage in personal professional development and promote continuous learning within the organisation and I undertake additional responsibilities as required by the Assistant Director of Homelessness Services or other senior management.

I have 13 years operational management experience in a Health and Social Care setting.

2008 – 2013: I was the Team Leader in the Lodge Road Unit in Coleraine for which I had direct line management responsibility.

This is a 16-bed general needs service with a client group who have a history of complex needs: homelessness, offending behaviour, anti-social behaviour, criminal offences, domestic abuse, sexual offences, mental health, physical health, and addiction issues.

April 2013 – 2018 I was Team Leader of the Bonds Hill and Melrose Terrace Units in Derry. I moved to the Bonds Hill unit to develop the remodeling of the service. The Bonds Hill unit was reprioritised from general needs accommodation to PBNI joint commissioned approved accommodation. Another outcome of the remodeling was the creation of a second service in Derry in the Melrose Terrace unit.

Bonds Hill is a 16 bed complex needs service and Melrose is a 17-bed low / medium step-down service.

At the inception of the service, I was line managing 18 staff across the 33-bed service.

During this time, I was asked to undertake additional line management responsibilities in other services within the orgainisation

July 2014 – March 2015: I was asked to take provide management support in the Mount Street Mews Young Persons Service following a Major Adverse Incident (MAI).

Mount Street Mews has a 16-bed capacity youth homeless service and is joint commissioned with the Northern Trust. The service supports 16year – 21-year-olds presenting with varied complex needs.

2016: I was asked by the Head of Service for Homeless Prevention to undertake additional line management responsibility in Larne Simon Community, in the absence of a team leader. Larne is an 18-bed adult service supporting clients with complex needs.

March 2017 – March 2018. I took up the post of Operational Lead within the organisation. I was responsible for management and effective operational running of multiple SCNI accommodation-based sites (Armagh, Bangor, Lodge Road, Saintfield Road) within the Homelessness Services Directorate.

This was a temporary position in the absence of a Head of Service whereby I undertook the operational aspects of that role, comparable to the Job description of the Senior Operational Manager.

April 2018 – Present. I have been a Service Manager within the orgainsation. I have direct management of the service in Derry which has 33 beds and the Lodge Road Service which has 16 beds.

I am accountable to the Head of Service for the cost-effective delivery of high-quality client services across these two sites.

I participate in the organisationl on call rota. While on call I provide out of hours support and guidance to all the sites within the organisation. I am familiar with other sites and their service delivery. I make decisions regarding the different services, staffing and clients when they are contacting me when issues and incidents arise.