Rossie is a multidisciplinary organisation which aims to help vulnerable children and young people prepare for independent living. We provide accommodation, bespoke care and individualised education, ensuring all areas of our young people’s health are being met. We have been caring for boys, aged 10-18, since 1857 and boys and girls, aged 10-18 since 1984. We are committed to helping our young people in care build strategies to cope with their past, while they prepare for their future. We deliver all our services in a safe and nurturing environment where our young people can grow, develop and thrive, at their own pace.
Rossie is seeking an exceptional strategic leader to take on the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) at a critical moment in its organisational journey. The right candidate will play a key role in supporting the delivery of Rossie’s mission to improve the life chances of children and young people through trauma-informed, rights-based care, education and secure services.
The Role:
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and forming part of the Senior Leadership and Management Team (SLMT), the DCEO will provide strategic oversight across all internal operational services, including secure care, residential care and education. This is a senior leadership role that requires an individual capable of managing complexity, bringing cohesion to multi-disciplinary teams and sustaining a strong internal culture grounded in values and outcomes.
Working closely with the Service Heads of Care, Education and Specialist Interventions the DCEO will focus on aligning operational delivery and ensuring young people experience joined-up, high quality support throughout their stay at Rossie.
The DCEO will focus on internal leadership, service performance, employee development and delivery of the strategic plan. The successful candidate must be confident and competent deputising for the CEO as required and be able to hold accountability for internal consistency, cohesion and quality.
The Person:
Rossie is seeking a capable and compassionate leader who brings a balance of operational rigour, emotional intelligence and strategic insight.
The role requires someone who can balance authority with empathy, provide strong leadership while enabling others and who is comfortable operating at executive level in a dynamic, fast-moving environment. The ideal candidate will be capable of building a strong working relationship with the CEO, complementing their direct leadership style with a thoughtful, collaborative approach.
This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established, mission led organisation at a time of positive change and ambition. The DCEO will play a key role in strengthening Rossie’s impact, driving forward its commitment to excellence and championing the rights and voices of children and young people.
Candidates should be located within a reasonable distance to commute to Montrose or be willing to relocate. Reasonable relocation expenses can be provided, if applicable.
The closing date for completed applications for this post is 12 noon on Wednesday 01 October 2025, and it is anticipated interviews will take place on 28 and 29 October 2025.
Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: £80,607 - £88,312 (SCP 65 - 69)
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Reporting to the CEO, the DCEO will coordinate and oversee the delivery and monitoring of 3 key services. You will line manage Service Heads for Secure and Residential care (inclusive of Specialist Intervention, Health and Wellbeing (SIHW) Services) and Service Head Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (HOESLL). As a senior manager you will motivate, support, and lead work to improve individual and service performance, in line with agreed professional standards. You will be an active role model for multi-disciplinary work and ensure all services are fully integrated around the complex needs of our young people. You will coordinate Rossie’s operational performance and day to day management of these 3 key services ensuring all services operate within national legislative and policy frameworks. You will demonstrate Rossie’s Values, and provide high quality and visible leadership. The DCEO will work closely with the CEO to ensure Rossie maintains a viable, sustainable and progressive charitable business, operating within agreed budgets. You will keep the CEO fully apprised of all operational matters, providing relevant advice and deputising for the CEO both internally and externally.
Lead and oversee Rossie’s operational performance and service delivery requirements for Residential and Secure Care Services, and Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Service in line with Strategic Plan objectives:
* Effectively translate Rossie’s Strategic Plan into organisational individual and team objectives for Care, Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning services
* Monitor and review service performance and strive for continuous improvement
* Lead on specific projects to assist in furthering Rossie’s strategic aim for our 3 core services
* Ensure all employees and managers within 3 service areas are fully compliant with legislative and regulatory requirements, and develop action and improvement plans in response to licensing, enquiry reports and recommendations in relation to Care Inspectorate and HMiE
* Participate in research to identify any gaps in service delivery and developments
* Accountability and coordination of the senior on-call rota ensuring the safety of the organisation and our young people and employees
* Lead on Rossie’s ‘Reducing Restrictive Practice’ agenda
Lead successful and effective teams within and across the 3 services providing line management, professional support, guidance and formal supervision to direct reports:
* Undertake formal supervision with service leaders in line with policies
* Ensure direct reports complete a bespoke annual service development plan to achieve Strategic Plan objectives
* Ensure direct reports have an annual self development plan linked to continuous professional development in line with Rossie’s strategic direction
* Ensure all relevant managerial actions are addressed and progressed in line with Rossie frameworks inclusive of attendance, disciplinary and performance matters
Review and progress the operational and policy framework required to meet the strategic direction of Care, Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Service and SIHW services achieving legal and best practice compliance:
* Prepare and review policies and procedures, guidance or information papers for adoption and verification to the CEO which are of high quality, evidence based and advise on regulatory requirements
* Implement, monitor, and report activities/outcomes using quality assurance systems within the Secure/Residential Care and Education services
* Lead role in all Child Protection matters and in responding to internal /external complaints, escalating where required
* Ensure high environmental standards in the best interests of all our young people
* Proactively establish and maintain professional networks
* Actively participate in recruitment, selection and induction arrangements delivering a well-qualified experienced workforce, and a welcoming inclusive on-boarding experience
Work closely with the CEO reporting on all operational issues to ensure a viable, sustainable and progressive business, operating within agreed budgets:
* Report directly to the CEO and advise on all matters relating to the provision of Care and Education services
* Provide regular management information and reports to the Care, Education and Health sub-committee of the Board of Governors
* Monitor all financial budget headings within the 3 core services to ensure financial compliance
* Pro-actively identify opportunities for business growth and contribute to innovative work
* Maintain and develop appropriate organisational relationships with relevant stakeholders to enhance the reputation of Rossie
Lead all staff in Care and HMiE Inspection Planning and delivery:
* Develop a comprehensive and proactive approach to planning and engagement in Inspection processes to achieve best Inspection outcomes
* Establish and maintain professional relationships with lead Inspectors
* Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of inspection processes to ensure our sector leading status is retained
* Provide comprehensive feedback to the CEO and SLMT colleagues on all actions linked to Inspections, to deliver improved outcomes
Deputise for the CEO internally and externally as required:
* In consultation with the CEO, actively engage in national initiatives and working groups ensuring Rossie maintains a high profile and contributes positively
* Be an ambassador for Rossie, promoting the organisation internally and externally
* Deputise for the CEO in all matters including the preparation of management information reports, attendance at Board meetings, meetings with commissioners, and other key stakeholders.
Please note this job description is to provide a clear and concise statement of the main tasks and activities of the post, and it is not intended as an exhaustive list of every aspect of the post holder's duties. All the above duties will be carried out in line with Rossie policies and procedures.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications (Essential):
* Recognised Management qualification
* Evidence of continuous professional development
Qualifications (Desirable):
* Master’s Degree in relevant discipline
* Social Work qualification
* Relevant qualification in disciplines such as care, education, criminal justice, psychology or health
Leadership (Essential):
* Extensive experience in a senior leadership position in a comparable complex organisation
* Evidence of leading and building high performing teams within a multidisciplinary organisation
* Evidence of ability to work collegiately/effectively at senior management level
* Experience of working with Committees or at Board level to ensure effective governance
Knowledge Base (Essential):
* National operating frameworks of secure/residential care, education, psychology health and wellbeing services, GIRFEC, The Promise
* Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures
* Care and/or HMiE Inspection processes
* Regulatory processes of SSSC
* Intervention strategies/pathways in relation to neurodiverse young people
Knowledge Base (Desirable):
* Child and adolescent development, attachment theory, and trauma informed care
Skills (Essential):
* Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and networking skills
* Excellent communication (written, oral, presentation, IT) skills
* Excellent organisational planning, analytical and problem-solving skills
* Ability to build appropriate trusting relationships with staff and young people
Experience (Essential):
* Extensive senior management experience within social care provision
* Leading and implementing change and improvement strategies
* Consistently delivering high-quality outcomes in a complex environment
* Promoting the ‘Rights of the Child’
* Dealing with formal managerial processes, external complaints
* Financial budgeting and forecasting
* Developing new/innovative service propositions
Experience (Desirable):
* Participating in research
* Developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks
Personal Attributes (Essential):
* Ambitious for Rossie, employees and young people
* Flexible, fair and responsive
* Diplomatic and solution focused
* Ability to inspire, challenge, motivate and empower
* Emotionally intelligent
* Values driven
Personal Attributes (Desirable):
* Developing and delivering employee training
Full Clean Driving Licence - Essential