Area Director (Care and Support)
Purpose of role:
To support the COO and Managing Director in successfully delivering a vibrant and integrated Care and Support division.
To ensure that organisational priorities, initiatives and objectives are delivered through effective leadership, direction and management of a team of Residential Operations Managers (“ROMs”) in a designated area of the operation.
To ensure that the core purpose of the organisation – to deliver positive outcomes for young people –is at the heart of every region and service.
To deliver and sustain high standards of service quality, with appropriate quality assurance in place, while maintaining operational excellence
To embed organisational policies and procedures focused on recruiting, developing and retaining talented colleagues across the area.
To ensure that the operations of the organisation are delivered in accordance with all external statutory and legislative requirements, internal policies and procedures.
To take the lead role in building effective, professional and positive relationships with local authorities and commissioners, managing the contractual and commercial requirements of existing agreements within the area.
Embed Horizon’s core values in every aspect of the area.
Key accountabilities (and specific duties / responsibilities):
Support ROMs in the delivery of their regulatory obligations, and oversee a culture that will deliver positive outcomes for young people which are recognised in Ofsted ratings.
Ensure that all statutory operational requirements are met and that oversight is maintained through quality assurance processes. This includes regulations as set by Ofsted, the Health & Safety Executive, the Information Commissioner’s Office, Environmental Health, Fire Safety etc.
Ensure all duties in the area are carried out in a safe manner having regard for the health, safety and welfare of colleagues, young people and third parties.
Build a competent and highly driven team of ROMs in the designated area, effectively leading, managing, upskilling and motivating them to support their own teams effectively.
Utilise, promote and ensure compliance of, company policy and procedure, best practice guidelines in all operations across the region.
Contribute towards, implement and oversee action plans for services that are in focus.
Build positive strategic relationships with local authorities, commissioners and regulators to build Horizon’s reputation as a provider of choice.
Ensure all contractual obligations are met in order to avoid financial penalties and disputes and directly manage any contractual disputes that occur.
To effectively collaborate with the Business Development Team to ensure a strong pipeline of referrals.
Build effective cross-divisional relationships to promote internal referrals to placements.
Proactively drive new business by identifying new areas of demand and business opportunity.
Ensure that all areas of the region are delivered to exceed the required internal company compliance expectations.
Drive continuous improvement and implement agreed innovations and technological advances where appropriate.
Assist in the preparation and review of annual budgets for all services within the region, making sure that budgets are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and fair.
To line manage a team of ROMs.
Ensure ROMs achieve budgeted operating profit and take appropriate action to ensure achievement of EBITDA.
Liaise with other supporting functions as appropriate to ensure that fees, salaries and other regular areas of income or expenditure are reviewed regularly in order to recommend necessary revisions.
Ensure appropriate liaison with the People Team concerning all personnel issues and employee matters relating to employment legislation and the policies and procedures deriving there from.
In conjunction with the People Team ensure the principles of equal opportunity are upheld.
Promote the succession planning of existing and potential employees through identification of internal candidates for development and recruitment of external resources.
Collaborate with the People Team to promote to attraction, recruitment and retention of high caliber staff.
Ensure a robust approach to quality and regulatory compliance across the Division.
Implement a clear strategy to eliminate reliance on agency.
Collaborate with the L&D team to ensure that colleagues across the division have the correct training needed to excel in their roles.
Achieve divisional growth targets including but not limited to ensuring that new services are open in accordance with targeted date, occupancy targets are adhered to and future growth opportunities identified.
Drive commercial focus including occupancy, staffing costs, and general budget management. Accountable for ensuring occupancy, staffing costs (including agency) remain within established budget.
Collaborate with the Quality team to ensure the quality assurance framework is successfully embedded. Utilise the focus services protocol to improve outcomes.
Ensure that the region operates in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner by reducing waste, maximising recycling, implementing practices which reduce the carbon footprint of the division.
Foster a culture based on operational excellence which maximises colleague engagement, communication and wellbeing.
Capture the voice of our young people, celebrating outcomes and putting them at the heart of our organisation.Role KPIs:
To ensure that Training compliance is above 90%
Attrition to be at or below 30%
Absence at or below 4% total hours lost to absence
Achieve or exceed overall EBITDA
Achieve or exceed occupancy targets
Horizon policies and procedures to be fully implemented and embedded across the division
Compliance with all financial targets
Positive outcomes from Quality Assurance Partner Visits (and Reg 44 Visits where appropriate).
Positive outcome of Ofsted inspections – minimum 85% good or outstanding.
Design and implement action plans for homes/provisions rated at below ‘good.’
Area Director Requirements:
Knowledge and understanding of how to operate a business in an Ofsted regulated environment.
Experience of occupying a senior leadership role within the sector.
Experience setting up new properties and projects in accordance with Ofsted regulation.
Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
The ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to build excellent relationships with Local Authorities and commissioners.
The ability to use tact and diplomacy in interactions with all relevant parties.
A strong ethical code and values-based leadership.
Maintain a positive attitude and be open to feedback.
Evidence of work-related professional development.
Successful record of managing people, budgets and resources.
Experience of implementing successful strategies and working practices.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, especially local authorities and commissioners.
Well-developed problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Demonstrate sound knowledge of equal opportunity, equity and workplace health and safety principles and ability to implement them at the strategic and/or operational level
Data analysis