We are looking for a values-driven, resilient and emotionally intelligent leader to join Enthum as our Operations Director and Nominated Individual.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role at a mission-driven organisation supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) aged 16–17. You'll bring operational excellence, regulatory rigour and a deep commitment to young people's safety, wellbeing and aspirations.
As Operations Director, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of our residential services, ensuring we meet the highest standards of care and compliance under the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. You will act as the Nominated Individual with Ofsted, helping to shape and oversee our regulatory journey and quality assurance.
You'll work closely with our Registered Service Manager and wider leadership team, helping to embed systems, processes and a strong, trauma-informed culture across the organisation. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role requiring excellent judgement, people skills and operational grip.
We're looking for a talented, collaborative leader with strong experience in regulated care settings, a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, and the ability to inspire, support and hold teams accountable.
You'll be joining a core team of 16 brilliant staff, alongside a wider group of bank staff, and helping to steer an organisation with an annual turnover of ~£950k and two Ofsted-registered houses. You'll have the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people every day—and help shape the next chapter of Enthum's development.
Specific Duties
Service Delivery and Regulatory Compliance:
* To be a part of the Senior Leadership Team and attend regular Senior Management Team meetings
* Head of Safeguarding (DSL) - Overview of Safeguarding/managing allegations.
* Ensure the service meets the needs of young people in accordance with legislation, policy, and best practices.
* Line manage and provide formal and informal supervision and to the Registered Service manager and others as necessary to improve the home's performance.
* Ensure the home is led and managed in such a way as to be consistent with Enthum House's approach and ethos and deliver the outcomes set out in the statement of purpose.
* Ensure the supported accommodation is fully prepared and ready for Ofsted inspection.
* To have oversight of implementation of statutory and home's policies and provide feedback to senior leaders on the effectiveness of policies.
* Resolve complex operational and service-based problems and conflicts raised through the home's day-to-day running, complaints (and relevant HR process in collaboration with Co-Director(s))
* To have oversight of monitoring reports, statistical data, and evaluations in accordance with the policies of the home.
* Review the performance of Staff.
* Ensure that the supported accommodation service meets the required quality standards in terms of safety, care quality, and operational procedures.
* Liaise with regulatory authorities and support the preparation of inspections, audits, and reports
Leadership and Support:
* Supervise, lead and guide the Registered Manager and support staff, ensuring the team is well-informed of their roles and responsibilities.
* Act as a senior point of contact for the team, offering advice on best practices and professional development opportunities.
* Help to maintain a positive, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
Quality assurance and Monitoring
* Be accountable for the quality of support provided, ensuring that young people receive person-centered care tailored to their individual needs.
* Monitor individual plans and outcomes for young people, working closely with the Registered Service Manager to implement improvements where necessary.
* Ensure robust safeguarding procedures are in place and ensure that any concerns or incidents are addressed promptly and in accordance with legal and best practice standards.
Operational Leadership and Accountability
* Ensure that the service is adequately staffed, with recruitment, training, and retention strategies in place.
* Assist in the development and review of policies and procedures in line with statutory requirements and best practice.
* Contribute to the financial management of the service, including budget monitoring and resource allocation in partnership with the Finance Director.
* Attend Quarterly Trustee meetings in person and occasional online Trustee meetings as required.
* Ensure quality monitoring and health and safety assessments are conducted, and action plans are implemented by managers.
* Overview to ensure risk assessments are in place to protect children and staff.
* Monitor ongoing quality of service provision.
* Co working on Data analysis (including progress of young people, i.e. Planning stars), recording and monitoring. Establish mechanisms for listening and acting on the views of beneficiaries, on the organisations performance (April and September).
* Demonstrate service compliance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations, Children's Homes Quality Standards, and the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).
* Maintain a culture of continuous service improvement.
* Support Registered Service Manager to create effective monitoring systems to ensure the home is always ready for an Ofsted inspection and develop good working relationships with the home's Ofsted inspector.
* Marketing, media management and public speaking when required.
* Co work on identifying and assessing strategic risk issues and opportunities.
* Responsible for the local authority relationships and proactive income generation and management.
Young People Engagement and Support:
* Ensure that young people's voices are heard and that they are fully involved in decisions about their life and support received.
* Ensure the service is promoting independence, dignity, and respect for all young people.
* Address any complaints or concerns from young people and work with staff to resolve them in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Reporting and Documentation:
* Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records for each young person on Mentor, ensuring that documentation is comprehensive and compliant with the regulatory framework.
* Prepare and submit reports to Ofsted, Local Authority, or other relevant bodies as required.
* Ensure that all reports, incident logs, and action plans are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Education:
* A relevant qualification in health and social care (e.g., Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care or equivalent).
* Knowledge of current legislation and best practice in supported accommodation and care settings.
* Evidence of work-related continuous management development and strategic management responsibility.
Experience:
* Experience working in a Ofsted regulated supported accommodation or children's home environment, ideally in a senior leadership or management role.
* Experience working with vulnerable children and young people with complex needs (mental health, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, adolescent services, transition teams, care leavers etc.).
* Proven track record of ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and improving care quality.
Knowledge and Understanding:
* As a minimum a thorough understanding of the Supported Accommodation Regulations and Quality Standards England 2023, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, GDPR 2018, and Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
* Guidance pertaining to running a residential supported accommodation service
Essential Skills and Abilities:
* Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
* A detailed understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and health and safety regulations.
* Ability to work under pressure and handle sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism
Equality and Diversity:
* Promote equality and diversity by interpreting equality, diversity and rights according to legislation and policies.
* Develop a culture of non-discrimination that supports individuals' rights and eliminates patterns of discrimination.
Terms and Conditions:
* 3 days a week, with flexibility across the week as required and based on the needs of the service.
* Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
* Based in Eastbourne, with occasional travel to other locations for external meetings.
* This position requires an enhanced DBS check and information required for Ofsted registration and SC2 form, 2 referees and your full employment history with any gaps explained.
Salary:
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £55,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 22.5 per week
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Company pension
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Life insurance
* Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Eastbourne: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person