Multi-site (Chatham, Blue Bell Hill, Thurrock, Stratford)
The Operations Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across three children's homes, ensuring the highest standards of care for children with disabilities, in line with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.
The post holder will be accountable for compliance, safeguarding, staff leadership, and effective service delivery across multiple sites.
Successful applications will be required to consent to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
The Operations manager holds a crucial role within a residential setting dedicated to the care and support of children with disabilities. This position involves the overall operation of the facility, ensuring the well-being, safety, and development of the children under their care. The Operations manager collaborates closely with other managers including the House Manager, Deputy managers, families, and various professionals to create a nurturing and inclusive environment.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership & Management
· Provide professional leadership to Operations managers, Deputy Managers, and staff teams across all three homes.
· Ensure that the homes are managed effectively, meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and Ofsted's inspection framework.
· Oversee recruitment, supervision, appraisal, and professional development of all staff.
· Drive a culture of child-centred, therapeutic, and inclusive care, promoting dignity, independence, and positive outcomes for children with disabilities.
2. Quality & Compliance
· Ensure each home complies with the Quality and Purpose of Care Standard, Safeguarding Standard, Leadership and Management Standard, and Care Planning Standard.
· Monitor performance through regular audits, Regulation 44 visits, and Regulation 45 reports.
· Maintain all policies, procedures, and practices in line with legal, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
· Act as the lead for Ofsted inspections, ensuring homes are always prepared for inspection.
3. Safeguarding & Welfare
· Take overall responsibility for safeguarding, ensuring robust systems are in place to protect children.
· Ensure that children's rights, voices, and participation are central to decision-making.
· Respond to safeguarding concerns in line with statutory guidance and local safeguarding children's partnerships.
4. Strategic & Operational Oversight
· Oversee day-to-day operations across Chatham, Blue Bell Hill, and Thurrock, ensuring consistency in service delivery.
· Manage budgets effectively, ensuring resources are used efficiently to deliver high-quality care.
· Liaise with local authorities, health partners, schools, and other professionals to support children's development and well-being.
· Drive continuous improvement through service reviews, action plans, and implementation of best practice models.
5. Outcomes for Children
· Ensure every child has an individualised care plan that reflects their needs, wishes, and aspirations.
· Promote education, therapy, independence, and social inclusion for children with disabilities.
· Monitor outcomes, evidencing progress against Quality Standards.
· The operations manager will be expected to complete an induction programme which include shadowing to getting to know the team, the service users, the operation of the home, the implementation of all policies and procedure.
· The operations manager will be expected to attend monthly supervisions during their probationary period, then bi-monthly supervision thereafter.
· The operations manager should be committed to take part in attending training to develop their skills and knowledge as part of the PDP programme.
· The operations manager will be expected to attend annual appraisal to discuss work performance.
· A positive, can-do attitude.
· Person centred approach.
· Be proactive, professional and be able to deal with people from all levels.
· Great support planning skills (desirable).
· Exceptional communication skills.
· Ability to lead, mentor and inspire a team (desirable).
· Experience of working with young people with learning disabilities (desirable).
· A level 3 NVQ/QCF qualification or equivalent in relation to working with young people or committed to starting the course.
· Commitment to attaining Leadership and Management in Care Level 5 or equivalent qualification.
· At least 3 years' experience in a senior support work/practitioner role.
· Successful applications will be required to consent to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £40,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
Work Location: In person